We Stand With Ukraine: Music Brings Solace in Times of Adversity and Dispair

By Melissa Trier Kirk

Last fall, Lyric’s Principal Bassoonist Preman Tilson received a message from Ukrainian-born conductor Michael Holian. The concert Preman had organized shortly after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 had been such a successful fundraiser, could he do it again on the occasion of the 1,000th day of fighting to commemorate Ukraine’s fight for freedom? “ I was looking for ways that we as an orchestra could help give support,” said Preman. He worked to put together a program and coordinated details with the church and soloists. Musicians donated their services, renting vans to move in timpani, setting up stands and moving chairs.

The concert took place on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Members of the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra and Lyric Opera Stage Artists joined with musicians from Chicago’s Ukrainian Community and friends to perform together again in support of Ukraine. Music filled the sanctuary of St. Nicholas Catholic Cathedral in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village. People crowded in to raise money for two organizations, the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America and Revive Soldiers Ukraine. Revive Soldiers Ukraine provides rehabilitation for seriously wounded soldiers and accepts 45 men daily in Chicago. Seated in the front pew were several Ukrainian soldiers and the doctors caring for them.

The program began with the Ukrainian National Anthem and included selections by Ukrainian composers Mykola Lysenko, Myroslav Skoryk, as well as Elgar’s Nimrod from The Enigma Variations, Barber’s Adagio for Strings and Verdi’s "Va Pensiero" among other selections.

Orysia Cardoso, board chair of one of the concert’s sponsors, the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art (UIMA), gratefully responded, “In light of the tragedy that morning in the city of Sumy, where 35 civilians and children were killed, your music and song brought solace to many of us. At the finale, many tears could be seen on the faces of the audience. Your music gives hope in times of adversity and despair.”

Thank you to Preman and LOSA member Pam Williams for making this concert a success.