On 7th of June at 8.00 p.m. in the Liège Philharmonic, the musicians from the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic conducted by Marcin Nałęcz-Niesiołowski will present for the first time “Mournful Cantata on baritone and orchestra” by Albert Dupuis from 1929.

The orchestra will be accompanied by Stanisław Kiernet – baritone. The script by the Valonie composer was found purely by accident on the attic in one of the Białystok private houses. The place of the performance is not fortuitous – the composer dedicated his work to the mayor of Liège in 1929. On the day of the concert the script will be handed over to the present mayor of the city.

It is unknown, how the “Mournful Cantata on baritone and orchestra” occurred in Poland. It seems to be one of the mysteries of the World War II. The score has lied several years on the attic in one of the Białystok private houses. Recently, a present owner of that house started the renovation and accidentally found the score.  He handed the concert script over to The Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic.
“We are aware of the fact that we have something exceptional in our hands.  Inside the score, we have also found a letter with dedication” - says Marcin Nałęcz – Niesiołowski, the director of The Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic.

The composer, Albert Dupuis, dedicated his work to the mayor of the Belgian city - Liège. The letter was dated to 29^th March 1929.

No one knows what the mayor of Liège did with the gift.  It’s certain, that Albert Dupuis has never been to Poland but it is still a mystery how the concert script occurred in Białystok.

The Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic got in touch with music publishers in Belgium and France. It turned out, that no one in Europe, even none of the heirs, has the copy of the concert script. No one has even known about its existence.

The works in similar style were often composed in the XX century in Europe.
The cantata is kept in very lyrical and cheerful mood. “Music expresses calmness, solace, eternal life and not eternal damnation – all that we expect after death”- says Marcin Nałęcz-Niesiołowski.

During the tour, Białystok musicians will perform a concert on 6^th June in Notre Dame de la Chapelle Cathedral in Brussels. Together with the Academic Choir of The Białystok School of Public Administration and soloists they will perform “Two chorales” by J.S. Bach and “Four Polish Dances” by Aleksander Tansman. It is Tansman, who is well known all around the world but a little bit forgotten in Poland.  He is recognized to be one of the most outstanding Polish composers after Szymanowski.

It is not accidental, that his compositions were included in the tour’s program. The Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic recorded an album with Aleksander Tansman’s works and the international tour is a great opportunity to promote it.

The Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic has already become famous in Belgium with its concerts. In the 25^th anniversary of “Solidarność” (30 August 2005) Białystok musicians performed in the concert hall in the building of the European Parliament. About 400 people came to listen to the concert. The Symphonic Orchestra under the baton of Marcin Nałęcz-Niesiołowski performed two-hour-long concert.  They performed two compositions by  W.A. Mozart- 41 Symphony “Jovian” in C major scale and the first piano concert in e minor key by F. Chopin together with soloist Stanisław Drzewiecki. In the concert hall there was a solemn atmosphere. Everyone enjoyed their performance.  The Orchestra performed many compositions as encore. This time it will probably be similar.

TOUR’S PROGRAM:
6^th June 2006, 8.30 p.m.  – Notre Dame de la Chapelle Cathedral in Brussels
Orchestra and choir of The Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic
Academic Choir of The Białystok School of Public Administration
Marcin Nałęcz-Niesiołowski – conductor
Piotr Rafałko- tenor
Artur Mądry- bass
Marta Wróblewska – soprano
Anna Bernacka- alto
Anna Olszewska – choir’s arrangement

A. Tansman – Que le Sauveur des païens vienne maintenant from the series „ Two chorales by J.S. Bach”
M. Karłowicz – “Eternal songs” op. 10
                       “Song about everlasting longing”
                        “Song about love and death”
                     “Song about almighty
                                                                                  ***

W.A. Mozart – Mass in C major scale KV 317 “Coronation”

7^th June 2006, 8 p.m. – Philharmonic in Liège
Orchestra and choir of The Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic
Marcin Nałęcz-Niesiołowski – conductor
Stanisław Kierner – baritone
A. Dupuis – „Mournful Cantata on baritone and orchestra“
M. Karłowicz – “ Immemorial Songs” op. 10
                        “Song about eternal nostalgia”
                        “Song about love and death”
                        “Song about all-being”
***
G. Bizet – I and II suite from “Arlezjanks”