Concert For Humanity
presented by
Under the patronage of
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Under the patronage of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the DRK-Düsseldorf is organizing a major charity concert in the Düsseldorf Tonhalle on 1 October 2024 at 20:00 under the title “Concert for Humanity”.
The Kyiv Symphony Orchestra will perform classical masterpieces with world-famous stars such as Rolando Villazón, Daniel Hope, Albrecht Mayer, Daniel Müller-Schott and Charlotte Melkonian under the direction of Stephan Frucht. The repertoire on this evening ranges from Mozart to Dvorak and Bach. The classical concert will be hosted by “Tagesschau” presenter Constantin Schreiber.
We will use the proceeds from the event to support the Ukrainian Red Cross in its various humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine. At the same time, we want to strengthen the refugee work of the DRK Düsseldorf. Every day, our employees are entrusted with helping refugees who have found a new home in Düsseldorf.
Soloists & Conductor
Rolando Villazón, Tenor
Through his captivating performances on the world’s most important opera and concert stages, Rolando Villazón has established himself as one of the leading artists of our time. Celebrated and loved by critics and audiences alike, Villazón’s versatility is unique: in addition to his stage career as a tenor, he is also a director, author, artistic director and television and radio presenter.
Daniel Hope, Violin
Daniel Hope’s art on the violin is characterized by intensity and humanity. He knows how to make his instrument sing and plays with passionate artistic curiosity. Hope’s understanding of musical lines and expression has its roots in his early work with his mentor Yehudi Menuhin. He is fascinated by what music can achieve. Every year he puts together different projects that place music in a historical or social context in their own way. He has already given various benefit concerts for the Ukraine and produced a charity album with works of Ukrainian music.
Albrecht Mayer, Oboe
Albrecht Mayer began his professional career in 1990 as principal oboist with the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra and moved to the same position with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1992. Albrecht Mayer is in great demand internationally as a soloist and recently founded his own ensemble, New Seasons, in search of his personal sound ideal. In addition to his solo projects, chamber music is also very important to him.
Charlotte Melkonian (10), Cello
Charlotte Melkonian, who is only ten years old, is an absolutely exceptional talent on the cello and is already in demand internationally. She is being supported by Prof. Brauß at the Institute for Highly Gifted Students at the Hanover University of Music and has been a junior student at the Berlin University of the Arts with Prof. Maintz since 2023. She has won first prizes in numerous competitions, such as the International Geringas Cello Competition in Lithuania. Charlotte has performed as a soloist with the NDR Radiophilharmonie Hannover and at international festivals.
Daniel Müller-Schott, Cello
Daniel Müller-Schott is one of the world’s most sought-after cellists and can be heard on all major international concert stages. For many years he has been inspiring audiences as an ambassador of classical music in the 21st century and as a bridge builder between music, literature and the visual arts. He makes guest appearances with internationally renowned orchestras and works with outstanding conductors. The New York Times praises his “intense expressivity” and describes him as “a fearless player with outstanding technique”.
Stephan Frucht, Conductor
Stephan Frucht rarely appears live on stage. As co-initiator of the “Concert for Humanity”, the internationally renowned conductor and winner of the OPUS KLASSIK prize is making an exception. He has conducted the radio orchestras in Munich, Berlin and Leipzig, the Berlin Karajan Orchestra Academy, the German Symphony Orchestra Berlin, Bavarian State Orchestra and Munich Chamber Orchestra, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Sofia Philharmonic, Zurich Opera House, Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and orchestras in China and the USA.
Kyiv Symphony Orchestra
The Kyiv Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1979 in what was then the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. For many years, the orchestra has seen itself as an international cultural ambassador for Ukraine. In recent years in particular, it has made numerous guest appearances, including at the Berlin Philharmonie, the Elbphilharmonie, the Gewandhaus Leipzig, the Kulturpalast Dresden, the Cité de la musique Paris and the National Philharmonic Warsaw. The orchestra also played at the NATO summit in Madrid in June 2022.
Due to the armed conflict/war in its home country, the orchestra had to flee Ukraine in 2022 and resided in Gera (Thuringia) until 2024. Since August 2024, the KSO has found a temporary home in Monheim am Rhein and has become part of Monheimer Kulturwerke GmbH.
Moderation
Constantin Schreiber
Constantin Schreiber is a German journalist and television presenter who is best known for his work on the Tagesschau news program. In addition to his journalistic work, he is also the author of several bestsellers, such as his book “Glück im Unglück”.</p
Concert Sponsors
MP NRW
Henrik Wüst
Auch mehr als zweieinhalb Jahre nach dem Angriff Russlands herrscht weiter Krieg in der Ukraine. Das Leid der Menschen dort ist unermesslich. Wir stehen weiter fest an der Seite unserer Freundinnen und Freunde in der Ukraine – für Frieden und Freiheit in Europa. Das Konzert für Menschlichkeit zeigt diese Solidarität eindrucksvoll. Allen, die dazu beitragen und den Menschen in der Ukraine und den Geflüchteten hier bei uns helfen, danke ich von ganzem Herzen.
Hendrik Wüst MdL,
Ministerpräsident des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen.
OB Düsseldorf
Dr. Stephan Keller
As Lord Mayor of the state capital Düsseldorf and sponsor of this wonderful concert, I am delighted to welcome you to an extraordinary evening of music on October 1.
The proceeds from this event will go to the Ukrainian Red Cross to support their humanitarian aid efforts in their own country. At the same time, we would like to strengthen the refugee work of the DRK-Düsseldorf, whose employees work tirelessly every day to offer refugees in our city a new home.
Let us set an example of solidarity and humanity together through this concert. Thank you for your support and I wish you an unforgettable evening full of wonderful music and touching moments.
Stephan Keller
Oberbrügermeister der Stadt Düsseldorf
First Lady der Ukraine
Olena Selenska
Ambassador for refugee work DRK-Düsseldorf
Johanna Brenninkmeyer
As a GRC ambassador for migration and integration, refugee work is particularly close to my heart. Refugees have not only had to leave their homes, but have also experienced unimaginable suffering. Here in Germany, they are once again facing great challenges, but bring with them an impressive determination to reshape their lives. Their courage and strength deserve our full recognition and support.
The Concert for Humanity is all about solidarity and cohesion. Together, we are sending a strong signal – be it for refugees seeking protection in our country or for the citizens of Ukraine who need our support in difficult times.
Johanna Brennikmeyer
Ambassador for refugee work DRK-Düsseldorf
Director of the Tonhalle
Michael Becker
Ladies and Gentlemen,
For decades, the Tonhalle Düsseldorf has offered music a space that goes beyond the pure classical concert experience. Whether Adam Fischer’s Human Rights Prize and concert, Anke Engelke’s encounters with the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra for the benefit of the medical aid organization “action medeor” or the musical appeals for donations for victims of disasters – music here always conveys a message of humanity and helpfulness.
We at the Tonhalle are all the more delighted about the initiative of the German Red Cross. I would like to thank all the participants in this great evening for their willingness to put their art at the service of the cause and to make it very clear that we all stand behind Ukraine, behind its art, its artists and its people.
It’s good that you are here!
Yours, Michael Becker
Program:
Moderation Constantin Schreiber
Beethoven
Coriolan Ouvertüre
Popper
Polonaise de Concert
Verdi
Konzert-Arien
Rosza
Spellbound und Love Thema
Skoryk
Melody
Vivaldi / Richter
Summer III (recomposed)
Grieg
Peer Gynt
Bach
„
Kommt eilet und laufet“ – Osteroratorium
Oboenkonzert F-Dur
Gulda
Konzert für Cello und Blasorchester
Schumann
aus 5 Stücke im Volkston
Änderungen vorbehalten
Kyiv Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1979, the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra (KSO) has developed into one of the most interesting artistic phenomena in Ukraine in recent years. The orchestra’s collaboration with European conductors has produced a rare fusion of Ukrainian musical sensibility and Western analytical methods.
The KSO’s repertoire ranges from the 16th century to the younger generation of contemporary composers. The orchestra devotes special attention to the preservation and promotion of Ukrainian musical treasures.
The KSO has performed in some of the most important concert halls in Europe, including the Berlin Philharmonie, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, the Cité de la musique in Paris and the Warsaw Philharmonie, as well as before the NATO heads of state at the summit in Madrid on June 29, 2022. In 2022, the orchestra was awarded the prestigious Musical Contest Prize of the Prince Pierre Foundation in Monaco for the quality of its interpretation of contemporary music.
For the first time in the history of the independent Ukrainian state, the KSO performed “Tristan and Isolde” by Richard Wagner on the stage of the National Opera, as well as at the Königswinkel Music Festival 2021 with a star cast under the direction of Lothar Zagrosek. The KSO also performed the concert version of the opera “Night” by Maxim Kolomyjz and released it as a video recording. The Kyiv Symphony Orchestra has been an official sponsor of the Berliner Philharmoniker since 2023.
The proceeds of the evening will go to:
Ukrainian Red Cross for the current needs of the population
