“Music provides a powerful and universal expression of hope, and in that spirit, we are honored and humbled to give our support to Ukrainians all over the world by performing this concert.”
–Music Director Andreas Delfs & Musicians of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) will present a Benefit Concert for Ukraine this Saturday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. General Admission tickets are pay-what-you-will – with a $20 (or more) suggested donation – and are available online at rpo.org, by phone at 585-454-2100 (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. –5 p.m., please note that the Patron Services Center is currently closed to in-person purchases), and in person one hour prior to the concert at the Eastman Theatre Box Office (433 East Main St.). All proceeds will go directly to Rochester’s ROC Maidan, a non-profit organization that is part of the Ukrainian Cultural Center of Rochester.
“These proceeds will go toward the purchase and shipment of critical medical supplies and humanitarian aid to Ukraine,” says ROC Maidan spokesperson, Solomia Laba. “We are so grateful to the Greater Rochester community for their support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.”
Rochester’s Ukrainian Federal Credit Union CEO Oleg Lebedko, an RPO sponsor, says: “With each passing day, innocent civilians of Ukraine – mothers, fathers, and children – are losing their lives as a result of the invasion by Russia. As the war unravels and destroys cities once blooming with history, culture, and life, we are constantly worried about what comes next. We hope and pray for an end to the war as soon as possible. In the Rochester area we have seen an overwhelmingly positive and heartfelt response by the greater community with humanitarian aid and financial donations pouring through to Ukraine. We are grateful to all of the volunteers and ask the public to continue to be supportive in any way possible.”
The Benefit Concert for Ukraine was made possible in part by a generous donation by Dr. Dawn F. Lipson, a longtime RPO and community supporter. “I believe that this concert can not only bring some financial relief to suffering Ukrainians but can also bring some much-needed comfort to those of us who mourn with them,” she says.
Saturday evening’s program, led by RPO Music Director Andreas Delfs, will feature music by Ukrainian composers Mykola Lysenko, Levko Revutsky and Myroslav Skoryk, as well as the U.S. premiere of Yevhen Stankovych’s violin concerto No. 5, which will feature Eastman School of Music Professor of Violin Oleh Krysa. The concert will also include works by Howard Hanson and Beethoven.
“We were sad to learn that Christopher Seaman would not be able to join us this week, but this cancellation provides a unique opportunity for us to respond to what is happening in the world,” explains RPO President & CEO Curtis S. Long. “We often talk about how music connects us, and this is a wonderful example of how it can bring Rochesterians together to support the local Ukrainian community and raise needed funds for Ukraine relief.”
From Maestro Delfs and the Musicians of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra: “We stand in solidarity with the brave people of Ukraine during this unprovoked and brutal invasion of their democratic nation. The world of classical music has long benefited from the great musicians and musical heritage of this region. Music provides a powerful and universal expression of hope, and in that spirit, we are honored and humbled to give our support to Ukrainians all over the world by performing this concert.”
Please note: Current COVID-19 protocols call for patrons aged 5 and up to show proof of vaccination, and all patrons are required to wear masks during the entire performance. Venue capacity is currently at 80%.
2021-22 Sponsors: Since the 2019-20 Season, M & T Bank has been the RPO’s Season Sponsor. They are joined by Rochester Regional Health as Season Co-Sponsor. The Pops series is sponsored by Wegmans and Canandaigua National Bank. All concerts, artists, and schedules are subject to change.
ABOUT THE RPO: The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its origins in 1922. The RPO presents approximately 150 concerts and broadcasts a year, serving up to 170,000 people through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. Music Director Andreas Delfs joins the ranks of former notable RPO music directors, including Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman, Mark Elder, and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, now in his 28th season, has earned a national reputation for excellence in pops programming during his tenure with the RPO. The RPO reaches more than 15,000 youth through its specific education programs.
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