About the concert

The concert is dedicated to the memory of John Paul II, whose life testimony still touches the hearts and minds of millions of people around the world. John Paul II was a great advocate of peace and human rights and a steadfast defender of human dignity. He tirelessly worked towards bettering relations among religions, which he considered as a path leading to friendship and love among people from different traditions. On the 100th anniversary of the birth of Karol Wojtyła, over 30 great artists from Poland, the United States, England, Germany, Korea, Italy, Japan, Taiwan, Turkey and Switzerland will join together to pay tribute to the Great Pole. Program includes the world premiere of arias from the opera “Job” by Krzesimir Dębski written on the basis of a drama by Karol Wojtyla and commissioned by the Polish Royal Opera, “Legend” and “Caprice” by H. Wieniawski, “Ave Maria” by F. Schubert, “Laudate Dominum” by W.A. Mozart, “Panis Angelicus” by C. Franck, “Pie Jesu” by G. Foure, “Qui Tollis Peccata Mundi” from “Petite Messe Solennelle” by Gioacchino Rossini, “God is a God” – a song composed by Kevin Miller to the words by Kenneth Overton, “Paquita Variation” from “Le Corsaire” by L.Minkus and A. Adam, “Tear” and prayer “On the Wings” – two songs by S. Moniuszko, Gavotte from Partita for solo violin by J.S. Bach, Cadenza for solo violin by K. Penderecki, “Melody” by I. Paderewski, “Meditation” from the Opera Thais by J. Massenet, pieces by F. Chopin performed by outstanding pianists and a guitar virtuoso, Adagio from the ballet “Giselle” by A. Adam, “Meditation” from “Souvenir d’un Lieu Cher” by P. Czajkowski, Roxana’s song from the opera “King Roger” by K. Szymanowski, Variation from the Chopiniana Ballet to the music by F. Chopin and choreography by M. Fokin, song “Do you know this country” by S. Moniuszko, songs by M. Karłowicz: “Speak to me still” to the words by K. Tetmajer and “Before the eternal night” to the words by Z. Krasiński, Polish Caprice from the collection of Miniatures for Violin by G. Bacewicz.

The teaching preached by John Paul II was filled with optimism. Today, in the age of the Covid-19 pandemic, we need this optimism all the more. We are convinced that our unique concert will keep on the hope and light that John Paul II had kindled.