Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall performs Ukrainian national anthem
‘Hugely emotional’ moment orchestra at Royal Albert Hall performs patriotic Ukrainian national anthem to cheers from the packed audience ahead of Best of Broadway show
- The anthem was performed before the start of Best of Broadway show last night
- Members of the audience took to their feet and applauded afterwards
- Anthem, ‘Shche ne vmerla Ukraina’, translates as ‘Ukraine has not yet perished’
There were ‘hugely emotional’ scenes at the Royal Albert Hall last night as the Ukrainian national anthem was played to a packed audience.
Just before the Best of Broadway show was due to start at the central London venue, members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra opted to show their support for Ukraine as it continues to battle against a Russian invasion.
The musicians played a two-minute rendition of ‘Shche ne vmerla Ukraina’, which aptly translates into English as ‘Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished.’
Members of the audience then showed their appreciation with applause and a standing ovation, before taking to social media to speak of the moving moment.
One said: ‘A hugely emotional start to the evening performance at The Royal Albert Hall.
‘The courageous people of Ukraine are very much in the thoughts and prayers of your friends in UK and the wider world.’
There were ‘hugely emotional’ scenes at the Royal Albert Hall last night as the Ukrainian national anthem was played to a packed audience. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra played ‘Shche ne vmerla Ukraina’, which translates into English as ‘Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished’
At the start of the show, the orchestra’s conductor David Firman, said: ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, a very warm welcome to the Best of Broadway performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra here at the Royal Albert Hall.
‘Before we start, we felt it appropriate to pause and reflect on the terrible events in Ukraine and express our collective outrage at the unlawful invasion of this sovereign state and the senseless loss of life.
‘We invite you now to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people as the Orchestra plays the Ukrainian national anthem.’
The anthem was played ahead of the Royal Albert Hall’s staging of the Best of Broadway show, which featured songs from hit musicals and West End shows including Les Misérables and Aladdin.
Members of the audience, who included Sky News presenter Kay Burley, later took to social media to speak of the moving moment
Members of the audience showed their appreciation with applause and a standing ovation, before taking to social media to speak of the moving moment
The Royal Philharmonic (pictured) performed to a packed audience at the Royal Albert Hall
Stars who performed included Kerry Ellis of Wicked, Marisha Wallace of Dreamgirls and Bradley Jaden of Les Misérables.
Another audience member said on Twitter: ‘Incredibly moving moment as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform Ukraine’s national anthem before tonight’s performance – every single soul standing in solidarity at the Royal Albert Hall.’
Sky News presenter Kay Burley, who also saw the moving moment, added: ‘Nothing and yet everything. Brits on their feet.’
The anthem was performed after the Royal Albert Hall became one of the London landmarks to be lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag earlier this week
The anthem was performed after the Royal Albert Hall became one of the London landmarks to be lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag earlier this week.
The London Eye and Nelson’s Column also displayed the colours.
Elsewhere across the world, New York City’s Empire State Building, Paris’s Eiffel Tower and Rome’s Colosseum were also illuminated in blue and yellow.
It comes after the Ukrainian anthem was played on U.S. show Saturday Night Live at the weekend.
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