Time 20:00
Carmelite Church, Krakowskie Przedmieście 68, Warsaw
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The Oratorio Messiah stands out among the many works of G. F. Haendel. Undoubtedly, it was its power of expression and the universal nature of its message that caused Messiah to be deemed a masterpiece already during the composer’s lifetime. Although composed in just 24 days, it still enjoys unwavering popularity today and receives an enthusiastic reception from the audience every time it is performed.
The libretto prepared by Charles Jennens is a compilation of texts from the King James Bible and The Universal Prayer. In fact, each of the three parts of the work deals with a different topic. The first part tells the prophecy of the coming of the Savior, while the second movement, crowned with the famous chorus Hallelujah, tells the story of the life, death and resurrection of Christ. The final part, on the other hand, focuses on the announcement of the salvation of mankind.
In terms of music, Messiah is characterized by an abundance of different means of musical expression while maintaining a small cast of performers. During the composer’s lifetime, the group of vocalists and instrumentalists did not exceed 60 people, and it is this original sound that the Artists of the Polish Royal Opera want to recreate. Hence, the excellent soloists and the vocal ensemble will be accompanied by an ensemble of period instruments – Capella Regia Polona. Krzysztof Garstka will sit at the harpsichord and conduct the performance.
Part I
1. Sinfonia
2. Comfort ye my people (tenor)
3. Ev’ry valley shall be exalted (tenor)
4. Thus saith the Lord of hosts (bass)
5. But who may abide the day of His coming (alto)
6. And he shall purify the sons of Levi (chorus)
7. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light (bass)
8. For unto us a child is born (chorus)
9. And suddenly there was with the angel (soprano)
10. Glory to God in the highest (chorus)
11. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (soprano)
12. His yoke is easy (chorus)
Part II
13. Behold the Lamb of God (chorus)
14. He was despised and rejected of men (alto)
15. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (chorus)
16. All they that see him laugh him to scorn (tenor)
17. He trusted in God that he would deliver him (chorus)
18. Thou art gone up on high (alto)
19. The Lord gave the word (chorus)
20. How beautiful are the feet (soprano)
21. Why do the nations so furiously rage together (bass)
22. He that dwelleth in heaven (tenor)
23. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron (tenor)
24. Hallelujah (chorus)
Part III
25. I know that my Redeemer liveth (soprano)
26. By man came death (chorus)
27. The trumpet shall sound (bass)
28. If God be for us, who can be against us (soprano)
29. Worthy is the Lamb (chór) / Amen (chorus)
PERFORMERS
MARTA BOBERSKA SOPRANO
ANETA ŁUKASZEWICZ ALTO
SYLWESTER SMULCZYŃSKI TENOR
PAWEŁ MICHALCZUK BASS
THE CHORUS OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA
THE PERIOD INSTRUMENTS ENSEMBLE OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA CAPELLA REGIA POLONA
JAKUB SZAFRAŃSKI CHORUS MASTER
KRZYSZTOF GARSTKA HARPSICHORD, CONDUCTOR
