WHERE TO GO - 07.2008

The National Museum invites you to see a very interesting exhibit called ‘Nero’s Golden House’, with works by one of the most important representatives of Polish classicism, Franciszek Smuglewicz (1745-1807). The exhibition commemorates the 200th anniversary of the artist’s death.
Galeria Zachęta, on the other hand, is presenting works by the contemporary artist Lech Majewski, who is a poet, director, painter and writer. The monumental project ‘Krew Poety’ (‘Blood of a Poet’) by Majewski consists of several dozen projects, the protagonist of which is the poet and his visions, dreams and delusions. The world premiere of ‘Blood of a Poet’ took place at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, in 2007.
The Royal Castle will present a very interesting exhibition from the 2nd of July to the 28th of August, called ‘Skarbiec katedry wileńskiej’ (‘Treasures of the Vilnius Cathedral’), which is filled with precious antique religious objects in silver and gold. When the Second World War broke out, they were sealed into the walls and hidden in the cathedral. It was only after the fall of communism and the formation of sovereign Lithuania that they were shown to the public. This is a fascinating exhibit, which also shows relations between Lithuania and Poland throughout centuries. This is the first time the treasures from Vilnius have been shown outside of Lithuania.
The Warsaw Chamber Opera (WOK) invites you to the Mozart Festival, which will last until the 26th of July, and which is a presentation of all of the great composer’s works. The festival already has a loyal audience, but every year there are more and more new enthusiasts of the ingenious composer of ‘the Magic Flute’ and so many other immortal pieces of music. More information about the festival program is available at: www.operakameralna.pl
And now for something lighter ‘ ‘Phantom of the Opera’ by Andrew Lloyd Webber. This musical is considered to be the greatest one of all time, and has become famous around the world ‘ in Warsaw too, which is attested to by the fact that the Roma Music Theater’s halls are always full.
Out of the events on offer in the theaters, it is worth taking note of the world famous drama (which was also the basis of a film with Al Pacino), ‘Angels in America’ by Tony Kushner, directed by Krzysztof Warlikowski. It is a story about the loneliness of a person from the West who, when confronted with a deadly illness, cannot find any consolation from family or religion. The Varsovian ‘Angels in America’ will be presented in suburban Warsaw, in Ursus, at Studio Rekording, located on 5 Gierdziejewskiego Street, from the 4th to the 6th and 8th to 11th of July. The performance lasts five and a half hours.
And now a whole range of concerts for a wide audience ‘ above all, those which are part of the rich program of the Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, which started on the 28th of June. On the 3rd of July, Pat Metheny Trio will perform at Sala Kongresowa, and on the same day, at Stodole, the group Queensryche will perform, and at Sowiński Park in the Wola district, there will be a concert by Seal (with the huge hit ‘Crazy’). At Sala Kongresowa, Bobby McFerrin will perform on the 5th of July; on the 9th, Lill Scott will give a concert; on the 14th, Lou Reed will perform; and on the 15th, there will be a concert by John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. Also on the 15th, at Stodoła, the group Ministry will perform, and on the 25th, at the same place, there will be a concert by Mars Volta.
And there is also the very popular summertime event in Warsaw, ‘Festiwal Jazz na Starówce’ (the Jazz Festival in the Old Town), which is on from the 5th of July to the end of August. It offers a rich repertoire in the beautiful, historic scenery of Warsaw’s oldest district ‘ and the combined pleasure of listening while looking at the buildings of the Old Town. For more information, visit www.jazznastarowce.pl