Everyone can watch the live broadcast of the ceremony on www.wroclaw.pl.
Nazywane „głosem Śląska” organy zaczął budować w 1750 r. Michael Engler, a zakończył 11 lat później jego syn Gottlieb Benjamin Engler i zięć Gottlieb Ziegler. Wyposażone zostały w 54 głosy brzmiące oraz rejestr dzwonów i kotłów naturalnych.
The construction of the pipe organ called the ‘Voice of Silesia’ was started by Michael Engler in 1750 and completed by his son Gottlieb Benjamin Engler and his son-in-law Gotlieb Ziegler eleven years later. 
fot. Tomasz Hołod/www.wroclaw.pl
The organ was equipped with 54 voices and a register of bells and natural kettledrums. It was set in an enchanting gilded polychrome case – a decorative façade. The façade was adorned with wooden figures of angels and prophets of the Old Testament. By the 1970s, the instrument had 91 voices, occupied the area of around 115 sq. m. in the back part of the church nave, and the span between pillars of the nave was 9.6 metres.
fot. Tomasz Hołod/www.wroclaw.pl
Like a Phoenix from the ashes
The centuries-long history of the Engler organ was interrupted by a fire that burned down Saint Elizabeth’s Church on 9th June 1976. The only parts of the organ that survived at that time were partly burnt figures and ornaments, which later proved useful for the identification of material and some stylistic features of the decoration. In 2011, a decision was made to reconstruct the organ. In 2017, the first tenders were announced, and in 2018, a consortium was created to carry out the reconstruction.
Works started in 2020. An oak base was first made in place of the floor, then the load-bearing structure and fire prevention and electric systems were fitted. At the same time, the polychrome of the organ case was made, and ornaments and sculptures were restored. Over 200 sculptors, painters and carpenters were engaged in this restoration. Playing parts of the instrument, e.g.. pipes, were also made upon order. The biggest pipe of the reconstructed organ is 12 m in height, and the smallest one 6 mm in height.
fot. Janusz Krzeszowski/www.wroclaw.pl
Wroclaw treasure
For the first 10 years, the pipe organ will be owned by the city. Why? City Secretary Włodzimierz Patalas explains: ‘Initially, the city had no foundation for the reconstruction of the instrument, because the surface of the church where it had been located did not belong to the city. It had to be leased so that the project could be accomplished – the lease period is 10 years, and the guarantee of the consortium will be valid for the same time.
‘It will surely be one of the best instruments in Europe and a pure representative of Baroque reality, and few such organs have survived till our times,’ said Andrzej Lech Kriese, an organ maker and a representative of the consortium that won the tender and carried out the reconstruction of the instrument, before the beginning of the process.
fot. Marcin Wiktorski
This project is the first one of this kind in the world after the war. Its cost totalled around 20 million PLN. The organ will play for the first time during an official liturgy (closed event) on 27th January. Everyone can listen to it one day later, on 28th January.
From Milan to Wroclaw
Lorenzo Ghielmi – a world-famous Italian organist, conductor and musicologist – will play the reconstructed organ in Wroclaw. He specialises in the performance of Renaissance and Baroque music. He is a titular organist in the Basilica of San Simpliciano in Milan. He will perform works by Nicolaus Bruhns, Dieterich Buxtehude and Johann Sebastian Bach in the garrison church.
fot. Instytut Herdera
Inauguration
On 27th (Thursday) and 28th January (Friday), in the Basilica Minor of Saint Elisabeth (garrison church) at ul. Świętej Elżbiety 1/2, we will hear the Engler Organ – the legendary “Voice of Silesia” – for the first time in 46 years. The majestic instrument was rebuilt by the city after the fire of 9th June 1976.
The “Voice of Silesia” will be heard again on 27th January during the ceremony that will consist of the consecration of the organ by Archbishop Brigadier General Józef Guzdek, Ph.D. (Apostolic Administrator of the Military Ordinariate of Poland) and a concert demonstrating the musical potential of the rebuilt instrument. Lorenzo Ghielmi, an outstanding Italian organist, will perform as a star. In addition, he will perform ‘Te Deum’ – a work composed specially for this instrument by Professor Wojciech Widlak – with the choir of the National Music Forum. It will be a closed event. Its participants will be persons directly engaged in the reconstruction of the instrument and parishioners along with representatives of the army, state authorities and the local government.
Everyone can watch the live broadcast of the ceremony on www.wroclaw.pl.
On 28th January, Lorenzo Ghielmi will play an open concert for inhabitants of Wroclaw. The concert will start at 7:00 p.m. (entrance after the mass from 6:30 p.m.) and will last around one hour – it will also be broadcast live on the website of the city.
In connection with the pandemic situation, the organisers reserve the right to make changes in the organisation of the event. All information will be posted on a running basis on www.wroclaw.pl.
