The richness of literary forms of the Psalms of David as well as their moving and universal message constantly inspire artists of various traditions and eras. The wisdom and beauty hidden in the biblical texts were particularly visible in the works of Renaissance and Baroque composers: both those associated with the Italian musical culture and early Polish ones left behind numerous outstanding works that contributed to the centuries-old psalmodic tradition.
Salamone Rossi, a composer at the Venetian Gonzaga court whose works open and close the program of the concert, was the author of the first ever book of works with Hebrew texts published in print. Hashirim asher lisz’lomo (Songs of Solomon) is a collection of thirty-three polyphonic vocal compositions published in 1623, which are a unique and, at that time, revolutionary fusion of Western musical practice with Jewish tradition. On the other hand, Benedetto Marcello employed a completely different approach: in his case, synagogue chants were the source of inspiration for creating his own, unique style of conveying the essence of the Old Testament.
Among the early composers associated with the Polish musical tradition, Simon Bar Jona Madelka from Opole is one that definitely stands out. In the arrangement of one of the most important Polish composers before Zielenski, the penitential Psalm 6 resounds with a variety of musical techniques, colors, and moods. No less delightful is Psalm 33 composed by Mikołaj Zieleński, whose collection Offertoria et Communiones Totius Anni is one of the most valuable treasures of the Polish Baroque.
PROGRAM
Salamone Rossi (1570–1630)
Elohim Hashivenu (Psalm 80)
Adon Olam (Hymn)
Mikołaj Zieleński (c.1550–c.1615)
Gustate et videte (Psalm 33)
Simon Bar Jona Madelka (c.1550–c.1598)
Domine, ne in furore (Psalm 6)
Benedetto Marcello (1686–1739)
O beati color (Psalm 31)
Salamone Rossi (1570–1630)
Yitgadal (Kaddish)
Shir Hama’alot (Psalm 128)
PERFORMERS
SYLWESTER SMULCZYŃSKI TENOR
THE CHAMBER CHOIR OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA
FILIP ZIELIŃSKI THEORBO
MACIEJ ŁUKASZUK CELLO
JAKUB JASTRZĘBSKI POSITIVE ORGAN
RENATA SZCZYPIOR CHORUS MASTER
JAKUB BURZYŃSKI CONDUCTOR
Duration: approx. 1 h
The seats in the auditorium are not numbered.
We kindly encourage you to read the rules of participation in cultural events organized by the Polish Royal Opera:
- If you are not feeling well, are ill, or had contact with an infected person – stay at home.
- Please, take a face mask with you. On entering the Theatre building, you are obliged to wear a mask covering your mouth and nose.
- At the entrance to the building, please have your temperature taken.
- Disinfect your hands after entering the Theatre building.
- Please remember to sign the Participant Declaration. If possible, please bring the printed and signed declaration with you, if not – fill it in in the Theatre, in the area shown by the staff.
- Take the seat assigned to you by the staff.
- Please come earlier – latecomers will not be allowed into the auditorium.
We care about the safety of our Guests!
- Disinfectants are available at the entrance to the building.
- At the entrance to the building, staff may take your temperature.
- The common spaces and sanitary rooms are disinfected regularly.
- Only 75% of the seats in the auditorium will be available. Persons vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 who voluntarily show a QR code confirming their vaccination with a double dose of the vaccine on the day of the event do not count towards the limit.
Should you have any questions, we are at your disposal on site of the event or at the phone number +48 500 309 424.
