Festival of Music in Old Krakow continues

More than a week has passed since the famous Festival of Music in Old Krakow began, but there’s still music to come as it continues until the end of the month. The festival presents a variety of music, ranging from early to contemporary compositions, all performed in the most beautiful and interesting sites of the city.The festival was inaugurated with Joseph Haydn’s oratorio “The Creation,” performed by the choirs Ginnheimer Kantorei, Chor der Dresdner Bank, Symphonisches Orchester Ginnheim and soloists, and conducted by Bernd Lechla. Performing the piece was an especially great challenge for the amateur choirs, which is why the oratorio’s hidden beauty unfortunately remained hidden.Following opening day, music lovers had a few opportunities to listen to one of the biggest “stars” of the Festival – the guitar quartet “Los Romeros.” The quartet, founded in 1960 by Celedonio Romero, is also known as “The Royal Family of the Guitar.” They performed twice – on August 16 with Capella Cracoviensis at the Temple Synagogue and the following day with works for guitar at the Krakow Philharmonic Hall. The guitar music would have harmonized better with the picturesque courtyard of Collegium Maius, the concert’s planned location, but the bad weather forced it to move. Nevertheless, the Spanish music carried the audience away and both concerts were received enthusiastically.  On August 19 Capella Cracoviensis performed a unique concert version of Claudio Monteverdi’s “Orfeo.” Four-hundred years ago “Orfeo” debuted in Montua as the first opera. Even without a stage realization, this performance of the opera sounded great.  During the past week chamber music was also performed by “Trio Cracovia,” “Cuarteto Casals” and “Octava.” On August 21, chamber choir “Preludiu” gave a concert of Orthodox Church music by Romanian composers. But the greatest events of the Festival are still to come. August 28 brings the famous Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra’s concert of music by Dietrich Buxtehode conducted by Ton Koopman, and August 29 Krakow will be hosting the world’s finest vocal quartet, “The Hilliard Ensemble.” More information is available on www.capellacracoviensis.pl