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ABOUT CULTURE - 06.2009
Sinfonia Varsoviahas its own headquarters
272 Grochowska Street – formerly a forge, stables, and the Veterinary Institute – is new address for the headquarters of the famous Sinfonia Varsovia orchestra. The city authorities bought these buildings and 2.6 hectares of palace/park property on the main street of the South Praga district for 15.6 million zloty on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the orchestra. Formerly, the Veterinary Institute was housed there. The buildings, dating from 1899, were added to the registry of historic sites last year. „In a place where animals used to be treated, we will now treat souls with music”, the chief director of Sinfonia Varsovia, Janusz Marynowski, said happily. On its anniversary, the 27th of April, Sinfonia Varsovia was playing in Tokyo. On the 13th of June, there will be a welcoming picnic at the new headquarters. The public will be able to visit the pavilions of the former Institute, listen to an open rehearsal of the orchestra, and on the 14th of June, hear a concert.
For people with a sense of humor
Regulars say this place is like a Venetian carnival – filled with color, a joyful atmosphere and fantasy... wild, wonderful, magical, and mysterious. What kind of place is it? It is „Capitol”. There is no other place like it in Poland. A club in a theater. A theater in a club. The guests, even those who do not speak Polish, have a wonderful time there, because the repertoire at „Capitol” is light, entertaining, and always has an all-star cast. The interior is a world of colors, mirrors, and gold. You feel like a character from a fairytale there. „Capitol” is a theater for people with a sense of humor. Even the toilets are fun there. We suggest you see it for yourself. And we wish you a great time here.
America met Irena Sendler
„The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler” was the title of a film that the American television station CBS presented to its audience. The heroine of the film is Irena Sendler, a Polish nurse who saved 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto and extermination during the Second World War. The film was shown during peak hours, thanks to which millions of Americans found out about this heroic Polish lady. The film had already received enthusiastic reviews from many American newspapers, written by critics who had seen it at a press screening. This film about Irena Sendler, who died last year at the age of 98, was directed by John Kent Harrison, based on a book by Polish author Anna Mieszkowska. Irena Sendler is played by Anna Paquin (in the photo, in this role), an Oscar laureate for her role in the film „The Piano”. The music for the film was composed by Jan A. P. Kaczmarek, who has also won an Oscar, for the soundtrack to „Finding Neverland”.
A Polish actorand an American star
Although Daniel Olbrychski only has a supporting role in the American film „Salt”, the Polish celebrity took it without hesitation. Thanks to that, he has a chance to work with Angelina Jolie – one of the most beautiful and most desirable women in the world. And Daniel, in spite of his years, is still a great connoisseur of feminine beauty. Olbrychski’s fame and personal charm must have intrigued Angelina Jolie, since she showed Daniel around New York herself. Later, however, they both got down to serious work. Olbrychski plays a Russian spy in Philip Noyce's film, and Jolie is a CIA agent. Though they are rivals in the movie, it did not keep them from spending time together after filming.
Stars invade Poland
There aren’t any tickets left for the Madonna concert (see photo) in Warsaw, though it is on the 15th of August. Poland has never seen so many big stars in one season – it is enough to mention U2, Madonna, Depeche Mode, Radiohead, Britney Spears and Nine Inch Nails. Tickets for concerts by these artists are a bit cheaper than in neighboring Berlin, for example. In Germany’s capital, for example, Depeche Mode concert tickets cost from 270 to 675 zloty, and in Poland from 170 to 440 zloty. Tickets for Madonna in Warsaw are also a dozen or so percent cheaper than they are in Spain.
A Polish tenor conquers the world
The international vocal career of Polish singer Piotr Beczała is developing very well. He is 42, and is permanently engaged at the opera in Zurich. After he left Poland in 1991, he undertook an international career in the Opera Theater in Linz. He has appeared in Covent Garden, La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera. On the 7th of February, a live performance of „Lucy of Lammermoor” on the stage of the New York Metropolitan Opera was transmitted to 31 countries, making Beczała famous throughout the world. In his free time, Beczała plays golf, because, as he claims, it helps with concentration, and the feeling of a golf swing and voice projection are similar.
The success of Zofia Stryjeńska
Zofia Stryjeńska (1891-1976) has been called „the princess of Polish painting”, and her work is currently being presented at the National Museum. The exhibition of paintings and drawings by this exceptional artist is very popular. As always. Stryjeńska’s rich imagination, the color palette in her paintings and the subjects – which are very close to Poles – have always attracted crowds to her exhibitions. Stryjeńska was also recognizable outside of Poland. Her design for the Polish Pavilion at the World Expo in Paris in 1925 brought the artist European fame and five international awards. Stryjeńska also created tapestries for the Japanese emperor, Hirohito. The artist spent the last years of her life in Switzerland. She died in Geneva in 1976. In the photo: a fragment of the decor of the Polish Pavilion at the International Exposition of Decorative Arts in Paris in 1925.
XIX Mozart Festival
For the twelfth time, from the 15th of June to the 26th of July, the Mozart Festival will take place – a great celebration for music lovers from Warsaw and guests to our city from Poland and abroad who are also fans of this outstanding composer’s music. The organizer of the festival is the director of the Warsaw Chamber Opera (WOK), who is indefatigably involved in the success of this unique opera stage, which vaunts the realization of all 22 of Mozart’s works. WOK is also widely known outside of Poland. This year’s festival is dedicated to the artistic connections of Mozart and Chopin. Both Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Frederic Chopin were ingenious artists – from childhood to the ends of their lives. Both were extraordinary pianists, both of them supported themselves mainly by giving piano lessons. Both were also excellent at improvising on this instrument. Chopin was a great admirer of Mozart’s work from the very beginning of his musical education, and gave great proof of that fact in writing Variations on piano and orchestra on themes from the opera „Don Giovanni”. The composer wanted Mozart’s Requiem to be played at his funeral in the Madeleine church in Paris. And that is what was done. Details about the Mozart Festival program can be found at www.operakameralna.pl
Bruce Willis advertising Polish vodka
Bruce Willis enjoyed our Polish vodka so much that he will most likely visit our country before the end of the year. Grupa Belvedere has started up cooperation with this action film star. The actor will advertise Sobieski vodka, and take part in promotional campaigns in China and selected countries of Europe, including Poland. This popular actor has signed contracts with the German beer maker Veltins, the British insurance company Norwich Union, and the Japanese petrol concern Eneos. Every contract is worth a least a few million dollars. Supposedly, Willis will get 16 million dollars for promoting Sobieski. „I personally carefully choose the products I want to be associated with” – says Bruce Willis about taking part in advertisements for Grupa Belvedere. „Sobieski vodka made a very good impression on me in terms of its high quality, authenticity and attractive price” – he adds.
272 Grochowska Street – formerly a forge, stables, and the Veterinary Institute – is new address for the headquarters of the famous Sinfonia Varsovia orchestra. The city authorities bought these buildings and 2.6 hectares of palace/park property on the main street of the South Praga district for 15.6 million zloty on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the orchestra. Formerly, the Veterinary Institute was housed there. The buildings, dating from 1899, were added to the registry of historic sites last year. „In a place where animals used to be treated, we will now treat souls with music”, the chief director of Sinfonia Varsovia, Janusz Marynowski, said happily. On its anniversary, the 27th of April, Sinfonia Varsovia was playing in Tokyo. On the 13th of June, there will be a welcoming picnic at the new headquarters. The public will be able to visit the pavilions of the former Institute, listen to an open rehearsal of the orchestra, and on the 14th of June, hear a concert.
For people with a sense of humor
Regulars say this place is like a Venetian carnival – filled with color, a joyful atmosphere and fantasy... wild, wonderful, magical, and mysterious. What kind of place is it? It is „Capitol”. There is no other place like it in Poland. A club in a theater. A theater in a club. The guests, even those who do not speak Polish, have a wonderful time there, because the repertoire at „Capitol” is light, entertaining, and always has an all-star cast. The interior is a world of colors, mirrors, and gold. You feel like a character from a fairytale there. „Capitol” is a theater for people with a sense of humor. Even the toilets are fun there. We suggest you see it for yourself. And we wish you a great time here.
America met Irena Sendler
„The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler” was the title of a film that the American television station CBS presented to its audience. The heroine of the film is Irena Sendler, a Polish nurse who saved 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto and extermination during the Second World War. The film was shown during peak hours, thanks to which millions of Americans found out about this heroic Polish lady. The film had already received enthusiastic reviews from many American newspapers, written by critics who had seen it at a press screening. This film about Irena Sendler, who died last year at the age of 98, was directed by John Kent Harrison, based on a book by Polish author Anna Mieszkowska. Irena Sendler is played by Anna Paquin (in the photo, in this role), an Oscar laureate for her role in the film „The Piano”. The music for the film was composed by Jan A. P. Kaczmarek, who has also won an Oscar, for the soundtrack to „Finding Neverland”.
A Polish actorand an American star
Although Daniel Olbrychski only has a supporting role in the American film „Salt”, the Polish celebrity took it without hesitation. Thanks to that, he has a chance to work with Angelina Jolie – one of the most beautiful and most desirable women in the world. And Daniel, in spite of his years, is still a great connoisseur of feminine beauty. Olbrychski’s fame and personal charm must have intrigued Angelina Jolie, since she showed Daniel around New York herself. Later, however, they both got down to serious work. Olbrychski plays a Russian spy in Philip Noyce's film, and Jolie is a CIA agent. Though they are rivals in the movie, it did not keep them from spending time together after filming.
Stars invade Poland
There aren’t any tickets left for the Madonna concert (see photo) in Warsaw, though it is on the 15th of August. Poland has never seen so many big stars in one season – it is enough to mention U2, Madonna, Depeche Mode, Radiohead, Britney Spears and Nine Inch Nails. Tickets for concerts by these artists are a bit cheaper than in neighboring Berlin, for example. In Germany’s capital, for example, Depeche Mode concert tickets cost from 270 to 675 zloty, and in Poland from 170 to 440 zloty. Tickets for Madonna in Warsaw are also a dozen or so percent cheaper than they are in Spain.
A Polish tenor conquers the world
The international vocal career of Polish singer Piotr Beczała is developing very well. He is 42, and is permanently engaged at the opera in Zurich. After he left Poland in 1991, he undertook an international career in the Opera Theater in Linz. He has appeared in Covent Garden, La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera. On the 7th of February, a live performance of „Lucy of Lammermoor” on the stage of the New York Metropolitan Opera was transmitted to 31 countries, making Beczała famous throughout the world. In his free time, Beczała plays golf, because, as he claims, it helps with concentration, and the feeling of a golf swing and voice projection are similar.
The success of Zofia Stryjeńska
Zofia Stryjeńska (1891-1976) has been called „the princess of Polish painting”, and her work is currently being presented at the National Museum. The exhibition of paintings and drawings by this exceptional artist is very popular. As always. Stryjeńska’s rich imagination, the color palette in her paintings and the subjects – which are very close to Poles – have always attracted crowds to her exhibitions. Stryjeńska was also recognizable outside of Poland. Her design for the Polish Pavilion at the World Expo in Paris in 1925 brought the artist European fame and five international awards. Stryjeńska also created tapestries for the Japanese emperor, Hirohito. The artist spent the last years of her life in Switzerland. She died in Geneva in 1976. In the photo: a fragment of the decor of the Polish Pavilion at the International Exposition of Decorative Arts in Paris in 1925.
XIX Mozart Festival
For the twelfth time, from the 15th of June to the 26th of July, the Mozart Festival will take place – a great celebration for music lovers from Warsaw and guests to our city from Poland and abroad who are also fans of this outstanding composer’s music. The organizer of the festival is the director of the Warsaw Chamber Opera (WOK), who is indefatigably involved in the success of this unique opera stage, which vaunts the realization of all 22 of Mozart’s works. WOK is also widely known outside of Poland. This year’s festival is dedicated to the artistic connections of Mozart and Chopin. Both Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Frederic Chopin were ingenious artists – from childhood to the ends of their lives. Both were extraordinary pianists, both of them supported themselves mainly by giving piano lessons. Both were also excellent at improvising on this instrument. Chopin was a great admirer of Mozart’s work from the very beginning of his musical education, and gave great proof of that fact in writing Variations on piano and orchestra on themes from the opera „Don Giovanni”. The composer wanted Mozart’s Requiem to be played at his funeral in the Madeleine church in Paris. And that is what was done. Details about the Mozart Festival program can be found at www.operakameralna.pl
Bruce Willis advertising Polish vodka
Bruce Willis enjoyed our Polish vodka so much that he will most likely visit our country before the end of the year. Grupa Belvedere has started up cooperation with this action film star. The actor will advertise Sobieski vodka, and take part in promotional campaigns in China and selected countries of Europe, including Poland. This popular actor has signed contracts with the German beer maker Veltins, the British insurance company Norwich Union, and the Japanese petrol concern Eneos. Every contract is worth a least a few million dollars. Supposedly, Willis will get 16 million dollars for promoting Sobieski. „I personally carefully choose the products I want to be associated with” – says Bruce Willis about taking part in advertisements for Grupa Belvedere. „Sobieski vodka made a very good impression on me in terms of its high quality, authenticity and attractive price” – he adds.
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Information published at 3 June 2009