Music in nature
The regulars at the festival need no encouragement, which might nonetheless draw new people who are yet to visit the characteristic white tent in the Arsenal's courtyard. The setting will dazzle you with historic walls, beautiful surroundings (a willow by the well) and birds singing, especially when nightfall is slowly drawing near. For years, Evenings at the Arsenal have been one of the few musical events for classical music lovers who wanted to enjoy live performances during summer holidays, when the philharmonic hall and the opera house are closed. Over the last two decades, the festival has featured a number of celebrated soloists, who were usually accompanied by the Wratislavia Chamber Music Orchestra. Some soloists, such as Gracjan Szymczak, who is both a pianist and a cellist, would also join the orchestra.
Hosted by the Wratislavia Orchestra
As usual, this year's concerts will be held on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The Wratislavia Chamber Music Orchestra is going to perform three times at the festival: symphonies by Haydn and Mozart and Mozart's Violin Concerto in G-minor to commence the festival (26 June); Elgar's Serenade for Strings and Adagietto from Mahler's celebrated Symphony no. 5 on 8 July; and symphonies by Haydn and Mozart on 10 July to close the festival.
Guests
On 29 June, the Polish Cello Quartet is going to perform works that have specially been composed for the ensemble (by Kazimierz Wiłkomirski). On 1 July, Marta Kowalczyk (violin) and Daniel Palmizio (viola) will perform duets for violin and viola by Bach, Händl and Mozart. The schedule provides for a more accessible repertoire on 3 July, when singer Mieczysław Szcześniak and Krzysztof Herdzin Trio are going to perform in a programme featuring songs by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Billa Whitersa and David Bowie. 6 July brings a unique event combining chamber music by Mozart and Boccherini with a brass section and a star performance from flautist Agata Igras and oboist Kama Grott-Tomaszek. 9 July is all about classical repertoire in new jazz arrangements by violinist Adam Taubitz, vibraphonist Thomas Dobler and cellist Daniel Pezzotti.
Tickets range from 27 to 70 PLN and are available at the entrance or online.
