06.04.2022
Dona Nobis Pacem: A Concert for Ukraine to feature fleeing Ukrainian Opera singer
People’s Artist of Ukraine, Olga Chubareva (Lady Opera) to perform at special concert in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, on Good Friday, April 15.
Tickets are on sale now at stpatrickscathedral.ie/ukraine for anyone wishing to show their support through their contributions to a night of beautiful peaceful programming. Proceeds go to the Irish Red Cross, who will be taking donations in the Cathedral on the evening for those in need of urgent assistance.
The Cathedral choir will perform one of the best loved choral works of all time, Requiem by Gabriel Fauré, alongside works by two other Parisian composers, Maurice Duruflé and Louis Vierne. The choir will be accompanied by Master of the Music, Mr Stuart Nicholson, the Organist and Assistant Master of the Music, Mr David Leigh, and Mr Jeffrey Ledwidge on bass.
The evening will be graced by People’s Artist of Ukraine, Olga Chubareva (Lady Opera), who will be performing a Prayer for Ukraine, Myroslav Skoryk’s Melody and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem Pie Jesu. An opera singer, professor and doctor of philosophy, Olga Chubareva was forced to leave her homeland due to the war in Ukraine, where her son and home are at the very epicentre of the fighting in Bucha.
Dr William Morton, Dean of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, is delighted that the Cathedral is hosting the concert in support of the Ukraine Crisis Appeal of the Irish Red Cross, and is most grateful to Mr Nicholson, Mr Leigh, Mr Ledwidge, the members of the Choir, and Professor Chubareva for their support with this initiative in response to what is a major humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
Dean Morton remarks: “Over the last 800 years the ancient walls of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral have witnessed generations of people who have come in times of trouble to seek refuge, to seek hope and to seek reassurance, and to offer their prayers for those who need them most.
“I’m appealing to the people of Dublin, and of Ireland, to come along to this concert, and by standing steadfast in solidarity with our neighbours in Ukraine, to show the world the resilience, the tolerance and the neighbourliness that make us what we are, and, at the same time, to raise some money to respond to the plight of those struggling so hard in the cruel face of war and aggression.”
Speaking ahead of the event, the Irish Red Cross’ Head of Fundraising, Mr Charles Lamson, notes: “The Irish Red Cross is grateful for the support of St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Good Friday. We are continuing to provide urgent assistance to those caught up in the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine – with the country itself as well as in the surrounding region and here in Ireland. This support simply could not be done without out the overwhelming generosity and empathy of so many people. Thank you for thinking of us on this special day.”
Ahead of directing the evening, Stuart Nicholson says: “The Cathedral’s Music Department regularly gives concerts in aid of charity, whether local, national or international. Having seen the horrifying scenes in Ukraine and the mass exodus of refugees, we really wanted to do what we could help the relief by doing what we do best – perform.
“We decided to include Fauré’s much loved Requiem in our concert for Ukraine. Not only is it one of the most recognisable pieces of choral music ever written, it is also unlike many of the larger scales settings of the Requiem Mass which tend to lean towards the dreadful days of judgments, ultimately about finding peace.”
The Book of Peace will be available for all to sign, and donations to the Irish Red Cross can be made either by cash or card on the night. We hope to welcome you so that we might share this evening of peace together through a beautifully assembled selection of incredible music.