May 7, 2022• byMichael Strangeways

Looking for a way to support Ukraine while they are being attacked by Russia and facing devastation, displacement and destruction of its people and communities?

In Seattle, we can help support one of those communities with UNITY: A CONCERT FOR UKRAINE an event being produced in partnership with the Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet and McCaw Hall happening on Monday, May 16th. Funds raised will aid displaced Ukrainian artist refugees taking shelter at Poland’s Poznań Opera House. The one night only event/fundraiser will feature the PNB Orchestra under the direction of Emil de Cou and Alevtina Ioffe with artists from Seattle Opera.

More skinny:

SEATTLE, WA – Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and Seattle Opera have collaborated to present a benefit concert for Ukrainian artists. The PNB Orchestra, conducted by PNB music director Emil de Cou and Alevtina Ioffe (currently making her Seattle Opera debut with The Marriage of Figaro), will be joined by Ukrainian mezzo- soprano Olga Syniakova and others, for a performance featuring Ukrainian folk songs, A Prayer for Ukraine (Silvestrov), music by Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Delibes, and more. 100% of proceeds will be donated to the Pegaz Cultural Association, which is working closely with the Poznań Opera House in Poland and other local organizations to host artist residencies by providing housing, food, rehearsal space and performance opportunities for Ukrainian artists who have taken refuge in Poland.

“Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet stand united in our support for peace for the people of Ukraine, and for the displaced Ukrainian artists who have been prevented by war from earning a living and safely practicing their craft,” said Seattle Opera General Director Christina Scheppelmann. “The best thing we can do as arts organizations is to help ensure these artists have food, shelter, and the means to continue pursuing their life’s purpose: creating art that enriches their communities and uplifts the human spirit.”

UNITY: A Concert for Ukraine will be performed one night only, Monday, May 16 at Seattle Center’s Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. Curtain is at 7:30 pm. Tickets are give-what-you-can with a minimum of $10. (Donation amounts above $25 are tax-deductible.) Seating is general admission. Tickets may be purchased exclusively through the PNB Box Office, by calling 206.441.2424, or online at PNB.org. (This performance does not include PNB dancers.)

The hour-long program will include:

Ukrainian national anthem

Delibes Coppélia (opening scene and mazurka)

Saint-Saëns Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix

Traditional Variations on the Ukrainian folksong “The Bandura”

Tchaikovsky Swan Lake (Act 1 Polonaise and Act 3 Spanish Dance)

Shtoharenko Song (featuring Petro Krysa, violin)

Traditional Oi na Hori Dubya

Silvestrov Prayer for Ukraine

Strauss Der Rosenkavalier (trio)

Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet (Balcony scene)

Copland “The Promise of Living” from The Tender Land

“As performing artists, part of our calling is to respond to events of our time,” said Emil de Cou, when announcing the line-up. “Music cannot put a stop to the horrors of war but it can give voice to divine inspiration and celebrate the love and joy of humankind. We stand with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people – the land of Tchaikovsky’s paternal family – and look to the day when it will again be free of the horrors of war.”

TICKET INFORMATION

UNITY: A Concert for Ukraine tickets ($10 minimum donation, give-what-you-can*) may be purchased through the PNB Box Office:

· Phone – 206.441.2424

· In Person – 301 Mercer Street, Seattle

· Online 24/7 – PNB.org

*Fair market value of these tickets is $25, so all donation amounts above $25 are tax-deductible.

Subject to availability, tickets may be available 90 minutes prior to the performance at McCaw Hall. Seating is general admission.

Not able to attend the concert but would still like to lend your support? Click Here to Donate!

NOTE: MASKS AND PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION/RECENT TESTING REQUIRED TO ATTEND!!!!

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About the Author: Michael Strangeways

As the Editorial Director/Co-Owner, Michael Strangeways writes, edits and does about a million other jobs for Seattle Gay Scene, Puget Sound's most visited LGBTQ news, arts and entertainment website now celebrating its 14th year as a media outlet. A semi-proud Midwesterner by birth, he's lived in Seattle since 2000. He's also a film producer who would like you to check out the Jinkx Monsoon documentary, "Drag Becomes Him" now available on Amazon.com. In his spare time, he gets slightly obsessive about his love for old movies, challenging theater, "otters", vodka, chocolate, "I,Claudius", Lizzie Borden, real books made out of paper, disaster films, show tunes, Weimar era Germany, flea markets, pop surrealistic art, the sex lives of Hollywood actors both living and dead, kitties, chicken fried steak, haute couture and David Bowie. But, not necessarily in that order.