Photo: Facebook / Taras Shevchenko National Opera of Ukraine
On 20 April 2025, the Kyiv stage of the Taras Shevchenko National Opera of Ukraine will shine with bright stars of opera. On this day, at 15:00, a concert in memory of the outstanding Ukrainian baritone Ivan Ponomarenko will begin, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of his birth. This event promises to be a real treat for opera lovers, as the best voices of Ukraine, led by the legendary Lyudmila Monastyrska, a world-class diva whose name has long been synonymous with high art, will perform on stage.
Liudmyla Monastyrska: the voice of Ukraine that conquers the world
Lyudmila Monastyrskaya is not just a singer, she is a true cultural phenomenon. Her magnificent dramatic soprano has been heard on the most prestigious stages of the world: from La Scala in Milan to the Metropolitan Opera in New York, from London’s Covent Garden to the Staatsoper in Vienna. Her triumphant performances in Europe, America and Japan have earned her fame as one of the leading opera stars of the 21st century. People’s Artist of Ukraine, Shevchenko Prize winner, recipient of numerous international awards, including the Order of the Star of Italy, she not only glorifies Ukrainian art, but also brings the image of Ukraine to the world – a strong, creative and freedom-loving nation.
During the full-scale war, Lyudmyla Monastyrska became a true voice of Ukraine abroad. Her appearance with the national flag on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera after one of her performances provoked a standing ovation from the American public – it was not only a triumph for the singer, but also a symbol of support for Ukraine in its fight for freedom. And now, returning from a triumphant tour in London, Paris, New York or Milan, she will once again step onto her home stage in Kyiv to honour the memory of Ivan Ponomarenko, an artist whose work has left a deep mark on the history of Ukrainian opera.
Star constellation and masterpieces of opera classics
The concert will consist of two sections and will present a true anthology of opera. The first section will feature works by Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Gaetano Donizetti and Pietro Mascagni. Liudmyla Monastyrska will enchant the audience with Amelia’s aria from Verdi’s La bella masquerade, and together with her colleagues – Tetiana Hanina, Alla Pozniak, Oleksandr Melnychuk, Vitalii Bilyi, Oleh Zlakoman and Serhii Kovnir – will present unforgettable duets and scenes from La traviata and Tosca. The Orchestra of the National Opera of Ukraine will perform the famous overture to Nabucco and the intermezzo from La bella rusticana, immersing the audience in the world of high passions and drama.
The second section will open with Amilcaré Ponchielli’s elegant Dance of the Hours from the opera Gioconda. Liudmyla Monastyrska will perform an aria by Gioconda and, together with Serhiy Kovnir and Alla Pozniak, will present a dramatic duet from the same opera. The programme will be complemented by arias from Verdi’s Macbeth, Puccini’s Turandot and Jules Massenet’s Cid. The evening will culminate with the chorus from Nabucco and a scene featuring all the soloists and the theatre’s chorus. A special moment of the concert will be the recording of Ivan Ponomarenko’s performance of “My thoughts, my thoughts…” to music by Mykola Lysenko and lyrics by Taras Shevchenko, which will touch the hearts of everyone in the audience.
The creative team and the soul of the evening
Anatoliy Solovyanenko, the artistic director of the opera, is responsible for directing the concert, and Mykola Dyadyura and Alla Kulbaba will conduct the orchestra. Choirmaster Bohdan Plish and artist Maria Levytska will add harmony and visual beauty to the evening, and the script, created by Victoria Kovnir (Ponomarenko), will preserve the warmth and memory of the outstanding baritone.
Don’t miss it!
This concert is not just a musical event, but a tribute to memory, love of art and pride in Ukraine. Tickets are already on sale at the theatre’s box office at 50 Volodymyrska Street or on the website here: mticket.com.ua. Come to the theatre on 20 April at 15:00 to honour Ivan Ponomarenko together with the stars of the opera and enjoy the masterpieces that live forever!
Author : Katerina Bogdanenko
