Against violence, hatred and the need for war.
This is the message of closeness to the Ukrainian people that Maestro Riccardo Muti addressed to the audience of the Chicago Symphony Center a few nights ago during a concert, at the helm of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
The video was shared today by Oksana Lyniv, director of the orchestra of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, who thanks her colleague.
On the day of the Russian attack on Ukraine, the concert program featured Beethoven's 9th Symphony, with the famous Ode to Joy.
"The stage from which we play should never be the place for announcements or political affirmations - began Muti addressing the audience - We make music, which means joy, peace. But we cannot play this symphony dedicated to joy and brotherhood without thinking about suffering of the Ukrainian people ".
Words interrupted by a long and loud applause from the audience.
"A few years ago - added Muti - I conducted a concert for friendship in Kiev and there I met wonderful and happy people. What we are watching on TV is horrible and tonight, in the final movement of the Beethoven symphony, taking the text Schiller, talk about joy, joy joy ... At that moment we will think that joy without peace cannot exist. So I hope that from this splendid Hall, from the orchestra, from the choir and from all of you, a message will reach all people who, not only in Ukraine but in the world, are creating violence, hatred and a strange need for war. We are against all of this. "