In 2022, the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra (UFO) was established by Keri-Lynn Wilson, a Canadian-Ukrainian music director and conductor. Comprising 74 musicians, including Ukrainian war refugees, Ukrainian members of European orchestras, and members of various Symphony Orchestras in Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, and Odessa, UFO aims to showcase Ukrainian artistry while Ukraine fights for its freedom.
After the successful 2022 inaugural tour in the United States and Europe, UFO will reunite in August to perform at major European festivals and cities. The tour will commence on August 20 at Warsaw's Teatr Wielki, where they will perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with the chorus of the Polish Białystok Opera. This will be followed by a performance at the Polish Baltic F. Chopin Philharmonic Hall on August 22.
One of the tour highlights is a free outdoor concert on Ukrainian Independence Day, August 24, at the grounds of Berlin's Schönhausen Palace. UFO will also appear at Switzerland's Lucerne Festival, Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie, the UK's Snape Maltings concert hall, and London's Barbican Centre.
The tour will feature Ukrainian solo artists such as violinist Valeriy Sokolov, and singers Olga Kulchynska, Nicole Chirka, Dmytro Popov, and Vladyslav Buialskyi. The program includes works by Ukrainian composer Yevhen Stankovych, Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, Verdi's Overture to La Forza del Destino, and Myroslav Skoryk's Melody.
UFO is supported by Ukraine's First Lady, Olena Zelenska, and is organized in collaboration with the Metropolitan Opera and Polish National Opera, with the coordination of the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture. In addition to Ukrainian musicians, members of UFO also come from ensembles such as the Tonkunstler Orchestra of Vienna, Belgian National Orchestra, and Staatskapelle Berlin.
For this tour, male members of the orchestra have received special permission from the Ukrainian government to serve their nation through music and demonstrate the power of art in challenging times. Funds raised from the tour will support Ukrainian artists, and donations can be made to the Ministry of Culture.
"The Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra is Ukraine's musical voice," said Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, emphasizing the universal language of music in communicating with the world. Keri-Lynn Wilson added, "I invite you to attend the concerts of the UFO 2023 Summer Freedom Tour to experience the timeless message of liberty conveyed through their program's eternal classics. Music will speak against aggression."
Wilson further stated, "As Ukraine continues its courageous fight for the free world, it needs our support now more than ever. With this summer's freedom tour, I am proud to stand alongside the brave musicians of the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra as we defend Ukraine's cultural heritage. We will not stop until the war is won."
During UFO's 2022 tour, three of its 13 concerts were televised by the BBC from the Proms, Arte from Warsaw, and PBS from the Kennedy Center. Additionally, the concerts in France and Germany were broadcast on radio. The 2023 tour is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and managed by the Polish National Opera in partnership with leading artist management agency Askonas Holt.
