This year marks the 80th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Polish Saint Maximilian Kolbe. To commemorate this occasion, Polish Chamber Choir, Sinfonia Varsovia Orchestra and soloists conducted by Jan Łukaszewski will perform Paweł Łukaszewski's Requiem on 30 October 2021 at 7.30 p.m. in the Franciscan Fathers Church in Gdynia.
The concert will take place at the St. Anthony's Chapel, which is the foundation of the present church, and which was personally consecrated by the future saint in May 1937. The concert under the patronage of Tadeusz Wojda, Metropolitan Archbishop of Gdańsk, will be held thanks to the cooperation with the Franciscan Order and the support from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the authorities of Gdańsk and Gdynia.
The figure of Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe is known in Poland, but also in the world, for the heroic deed that the Franciscan undertook in 1941. He volunteered to die in place of a fellow prisoner Franciszek Gajowniczek in the German death camp of Auschwitz. When he decided to go to death, he said, "I want to encourage others to live." He became the first Pole to be canonized after World War II.
Requiem (Latin for "rest") is a musical setting of the mass performed on All Souls' Day and during mourning ceremonies. On the eve of the celebration of All Saints' Day, Paweł Łukaszewski's Requiem will be presented by world-famous Polish ensembles and soloists: Italian soprano Roberta Mameli and Polish baritone Adam Krużel.
Admission is free!
Co-financed by the Minister of Culture, National Heritage and Sport from the Culture Promotion Fund as part of the "Music" programme, carried out by the National Institute of Music and Dance.
Media patronage: Polish Music Information Centre POLMIC.
More information: https://www.polskichorkameralny.pl/pl/