Together with the Sinfonia Varsovia, the National Philharmonic Choir and outstanding soloists of the opera stage, several dozen inhabitants of the capital performed the Ode to Joy at the National Opera in Warsaw on Monday.
The event opened the annual festival the Sinfonia Varsovia prepared for the city of Warsaw and was also a celebration of the 20 years of Poland's EU membership, as well as the 200th anniversary of the world premiere of the 9th symphony op.125 of Ludvig van Beethoven, one of the most important works in the history of music, of which final movement Ode to Joy is the anthem of the EU, and also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra.
The Franciszek Wybrańczyk Sinfonia Varsovia to Its City Festival is the Orchestra’s musical gift to the people of Warsaw. The Festival was initiated in 2001 by Franciszek Wybrańczyk, the long-time director of Sinfonia Varsovia. His Orchestra was homeless for a long time, with the musicians performing abroad much more than in their hometown. That is how the idea of the Festival came about – to go on a special tour across the city, performing for Warsaw audiences.
Sinfonia Varsovia to Its City features chamber and symphonic music concerts with performances by renowned guest conductors and soloists.
For its 24th edition, the Sinfonia Varsovia to Its City Festival is returning to the original formula, proposed years ago by the festival founder and first orchestra manager. The festival yet again goes on the tour through the city, with this year’s concerts scattered throughout the capital both on the left and right side of the Vistula river in many districts across Warsaw.
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Source: Sinfonia Varsovia
Click on the audio player above to listen to a report by Radio Poland's Agnieszka Bielawska.