On the day of the invasion, Wilson had a vision to create an orchestra that would fight for Ukraine through music. The orchestra was then assembled in partnership with Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture and includes recent Ukrainian refugees, Ukrainian members of European orchestras, and some of the top musicians of Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa. They gathered for the first time in Warsaw, Poland for an intensive 10-day rehearsal period before making their inaugural world premiere in the Polish capital. The tour then continued onto London, Munich, Orange, Berlin, Edinburgh, Snape, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Dublin, New York, and finally, Washington, D.C.

The program includes performances of Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov’s Symphony No. 7 and Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 "From the New World." Leading Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska performs Leonore’s great aria, "Abscheulicher! Wo eilst du hin?," from Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fidelio, a triumphant song of humanity and peace in the face of violence and cruelty.

In grand display of artistic unity and expression of love, this concert aims to show how music can heal wounds and inspire hope.