Wrocław Philharmonic Choir, photo by Łukasz Rajchert
After its debut in 2009 Wrocław Philharmonic Choir performs again at the legendary BBC Proms Festival 2011
The first Polish choir to perform at the Proms and appear in the Royal Albert Hall. The sold out performance of Haydn's "Creation" led to an immediate re-invitation to appear at the 2011 festival where the huge vocal ensemble join forces again with the Gabrieli Consort and Players to perform Mendelsohn's "Elijah" conducted by Paul McCreesh.
The impressive line-up for this Old Testament English oratorio boasts gold-standard soloists Rosemary Joshua, Sarah Connolly, Robert Murray and Simon Keenlyside, with five guest choirs.
The Wrocław Philharmonic Choir is a mixed choir working under the direction of Agnieszka Franków-Żelazny since its foundation in 2006. It has quickly established itself as a leading force in the Polish choral music scene, having a dynamic profile as both an acclaimed a cappella consort, exploring a wide repertoire, and as an oratorio and symphonic chorus for large scale collaborations, most frequently with the Wrocław Philharmonic Orchestra and the Wrocław Baroque Orchestra.
Recent projects have included partnerships with established groups such as the Gabrieli Consort and the NDR Orchestra. With these ensembles they have appeared at venues throughout Europe such as the Salle Pleyel in Paris and the Barbican Centre in London and at festivals such as Schleswig-Holstein and Flanders.
Known for its adventurous and exciting programming, the choir has worked with Paul McCreesh, Jacek Kaspszyk, Krzysztof Penderecki, James MacMillan, Łukasz Borowicz, Mike Brewer and Bob Chilcott. They have recently provided the chorus and soloists for performances of Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas" conducted by the baroque specialist Christian Curnyn and premiered two productions with Wrocław Opera House.
The choir makes frequent appearances on the radio, both in Poland and abroad and made its debut CD of an a cappella recording of Polish choral music in June 2011, followed by recording of a gargantuan performance of "Berlioz Grande Messe des Morts", to be released in 2011. A resident ensemble at Wratislavia Cantans Festival, its future plans include an appearance at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Germany, the Varaždin Baroque Evenings in Croatia, and further recording projects.
The concert is supported by the Polish Cultural Institute in London and the European Commission Representation in the UK as part of Cultural Programme of Polish EU Presidency 2011.
The Wrocław Philharmonic Choir performs at the BBC Proms Festival 2011 on the 28th of August 2011 at 19:00.
Royal Albert Hall
Kensington Gore
London, SW7 2AP
www.bbc.co.uk