On Holy Thursday, we invite you to a classical music event that will be a musical reflection on sacrifice, suffering and hope. Just as in the Easter story, the crucifixion precedes the resurrection, so in our reality, pain and trials require reflection to pave the way to rebirth. This event is dedicated to the memory of all those who have fallen victim to war, and at the same time, the desire for light through the darkness.

On April 17 at 7:00 PM, we invite you to hear Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem. In this work, he invested all his skill in depicting the extremes of human feelings. In “Tuba Mirum” – power and majesty, proclaimed by eight trumpets, joyful praise sounds in “Sanctus”, a brilliant double fugue. Meanwhile, “Agnus Dei” opens with a stunning unaccompanied duet for soprano and mezzo soloists.

To conduct the event, a famous American musician and supporter of Ukraine, Benjamin Loeb, is coming to Lviv, who notes:

Verdi wrote this piece for a friend of his, and it held deep personal meaning for him. One thing that makes it special is that it doesn’t have just one meaning. It’s not simply about sadness. Of course, there are moments of sorrow, but at the same time, we are asking for peace—peace for ourselves, peace for the person who has passed away. We also express anger, frustration at the loss of life. There’s a strong message in the music: an acknowledgment that this is a terrible event, a tragedy. If someone has died unjustly, the piece seems to carry a message of reckoning—almost as if saying that those responsible will suffer the consequences.

On one hand, we seek peace, but on the other, we want to understand why this has happened. It’s a very complex work, filled with counterpoint and fugues—two major fugues, in fact. Verdi sends a message that grief is not just an individual experience but something that affects an entire community.

As Loeb said, with this performance he hopes ‘to raise funds to support this concert and the orchestra, ensuring that music continues even in wartime. Many people I know want to support Ukraine in any way they can. Even small donations—$100, $50—can make a real difference. Every contribution helps sustain the arts and keep performances like this one alive’.