More Orchestras Stand in Solidarity with Ukraine

In advance of this weekend's concerts, the Berliner Philharmoniker, guest conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and soloists Nadine Sierra and Okka von der Damerau have announced that they will dedicate their concerts of Gustav Mahler’s Second Symphony to those affected by the Russian attacks on Ukraine.

“We are deeply shocked by the attacks from the Russian side, which have triggered a war on European soil and are targeted directly against a life in freedom and democracy," said members of the Board of the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation. "Our solidarity is with all the people of Ukraine and the victims of this violent conflict.”

Kirill Petrenko, the chief conductor of the Berliner Philharmoniker, added that "Putin’s insidious attack on Ukraine, which violates international law, is a knife in the back of the entire peaceful world. It is also an attack on the arts, which, as we know, unite across all borders. I am in complete solidarity with all my Ukrainian colleagues and can only hope that all artists will stand together for freedom, sovereignty and against aggression."

Additionally, the Czech Republic-based orchestra Filharmonie Brno is flying the Ukranian flag outside its concert hall. Their Facebook reads, "We stand with Ukraine. That is why Tomáš Šelc is going to sing in Ukraine language the song "Farewell world, farewell country" with chief conductor's Dennis Russell Davies piano accompaniment before the beginning of Friday and Saturday concerts."

It has also been reported that in London, the Royal Opera House announced that it was canceling a season of performances by Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet following the invasion of Ukraine. Agence France-Presse reports that "A summer season of the Bolshoi Ballet at the Royal Opera House had been in the final stages of planning."