Following the celebration of a 200th anniversary of Stanisław Moniuszko birth, we will hear an overture to Paria, his last finished opera and one of just two (along Halka) opera seria in an ilustrious and diverse collection of his works. Moniuszko was attracted by orientalism, popular during Romanticism epoch, and thus he decided on writing an opera taking place in ancient India. Libretto written by Jan Chęciński was based upon Pearl, a tragedy written by French playwright Casimir Delavigne, known to opera afficionados as an author of Sicilian Vespers.
Full of charm, ceremonius and uniquely colourful Gloria, written by Francis Poulenc on soprano, orchestra and choir, belongs to most renowned works of this French composer, known as a member of Les Six group. Composed for Koussevitsky Foundation of America, it was performed for the first time on 21st of January 1961 in Boston by Boston Symphonic Orchestra.
Another religious work written by Swiss composer Arthur Honegger (also a Les Six member) Symphony No. 3 "Symphonie Liturgique" is exceptionally interesting because of it's colour and instrumentation. It was written as an aftermath of World War II as a triptych evoking three liturgy scriptures: Dies irae, De profundis clamavi from Psalm 130 and Dona nobis pacem. (Mateusz Borkowski)
Stanisław Moniuszko – Paria overture
Francis Poulenc – Gloria
Arthur Honegger – Symphony No. 3 "Symphonie Liturgique"
Jolanta Kowalska-Pawlikowska – soprano
Teresa Majka-Pacanek – choirmaster
Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir
Stefanos Tsialis – conductor
