Gala concert Music From Every Continent

To commemorate the United Nations’ 60th anniversary, the UN Office in Ukraine and the National Opera of Ukraine held a gala concert Music from Every Continent on Sunday 23 October at the National Opera House.

This concert was an important charity event. Funds raised at the concert from ticket sales and any contributions made will go to the Ukraine 3000 International Fund’s Hospital to Hospital Programme and to assist children ill with HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis, cancer and other serious diseases at the Ohmadit Paediatric Oncological Haematology Centre.

This premier concert was featuring music from each continent in an original and unique fashion. Most of the pieces were performed in Ukraine for the very first time.

The visitors had a chance to enjoy the performances of

* VOLODYMYR GRYSHKO: soloist of the National Opera of Ukraine, the Metropolitan Opera (New York, USA), and the Mariinsky Theatre (Saint-Petersburg, Russia), one of the five best tenors in the world, who has performed with Montserrat Cabalye and Lucciano Pavarotti. He is a National Artist of Ukraine, recipient of the Shevchenko Award, and an advisor to the President of Ukraine on cultural issues.

* VIKTORIA LUKYANETZ: National Artist of Ukraine, former soloist of the National Opera of Ukraine, soloist of the Vienna State Opera, and a singer who has been applauded in Western Europe, America, Canada, China and many other countries of the world.

* ANATOLIY BARIWEVSKIY: this year’s winner of the one of the most prestigious contests, the Volodymyr Horovytzy competition; student of the National Music Academy of Ukraine.

* HERMAN MAKARENKO, Ph.D.: Art director and conductor of the gala concert, conductor of the Ukrainian National Opera, honoured artist of Ukraine, winner of numerous international competitions, professor of the National Music Academy.

This concert was not only an opportunity to spend a very pleasant evening enjoying a unique musical event, but also a chance to help the more vulnerable members of our community when they need this help the most.