Founded in 2006 by Andrzej Kosendiak, the mixed choir functions under the aegis of the Philharmonic and is directed by Agnieszka Franków-Żelazny. To meet the concert needs of the Philharmonic, the choir’s repertoire is greatly varied and includes oratorio and symphonic-choral works as well as a cappella programmes.

During the 2008/2009 season the choir participated in several important events, including performances with Gabrieli Consort & Players in three famous venues: Salle Playel in Paris and the Barbican Centre in London (Haendel’s Jephtha) and – as the first Polish choir to do so – at the Royal Albert Hall in London during the BBC Proms (Haydn’s Creation). These concerts were conducted by Paul McCreesh. During the 44th and 45th International Festival Wratislavia Cantans combined ensembles gave a series of concerts of Polish, English and German choral music.

In September 2009 the Wrocław Philharmonic Choir performed twice during the 52nd Flanders International Festival in Ghent. In August 2010 the Choir performed at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, taking part in concert version of Moniuszko’s opera Halka conducted by Łukasz Borowicz.

In last four years Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir performed over 40 times with vocal-instrumental works and over 30 times with a cappella programmes. The ensemble regularly collaborates with outstanding conductors, such as: Paul McCreesh, Jacek Kaspszyk, Krzysztof Penderecki, James MacMillan and Mike Brewer.

Future performances include a cappella programme conducted by Bob Chilcott, two concerts with National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, BBC Proms, Grafenegg Music Festival (Austria) and Gewandhaus (Leipzig, Germany) in 2011.

CHOIR MEMBERS:

SOPRANOS:
Aldona Bartnik
Dorota Bronikowska
Anna Krzyżowska-Kawałko
Monika Kuczera
Joanna Makowska
Agnieszka Niezgoda
Dorota Słabolepszy
Andżelika Wesołowska
Violetta Wysocka-Marciniak

ALTOS:
Magdalena Garbacz
Aleksandra Hruby
Diana Kopeczek
Bianka Maksim
Marta Mączewska
Ewelina Nawrocka
Ewa Pieronkiewicz
Ewelina Wojewoda
Ewa Wojtowicz

TENORS:
Jakub Bieszczad
Piotr Jaroński
Jarosław Kawałko
Andrii Khorsik
Bartłomiej Kusior
Marcin Magiera
Jacek Rzempołuch
Lucjan Wysłucha

BASSES:
Maciej Adamczyk
Jerzy Butryn
Marek Fras
Łukasz Kazanecki
Dominik Kujawa
Dawid Manuszak
Jan Pieter
Piotr Woroniecki

"The preparation of the Agnieszka Franków-Żelazny’s Choir was excellent; the choir carried out its musical task perfectly."

"Fortified by additional singers from the Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir, excellent Gabrieli Consort and Players had extra punch."

"The composer’s abandonment of opera in favour of the expressive possibilities of choral singing was well served by a large chorus comprising the combined forces of the Gabrieli Consort and the Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir […] the size and resonance of the voices thrillingly filled the auditorium at the big moments."

"Afterwards, all the choruses were fully convincing – dramatic, with clarity in polyphony and with layered shades of dynamics – in Parts Two and Three of the oratorio. Evidently it took two choral numbers for the combined Gabrieli Consort and Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir to settle."

"McCreesh also supplemented the Gabrieli Consort with fourteen singers from Poland's Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir, which gave the chorus a more flavoursome (and slightly less English) sound. Though the four voice sections blended well, each also possessed its own unique qualities. The sopranos' top notes were superbly rounded, whilst the altos produced a highly textured sound. The tenors possessed a quiet understated strength, their voices burning with passion from within, whilst the basses were cool, calm and reflective."

Listen to Wrocław Philharmonic Choir:

A.Bruckner - Ave Maria

C.Cardrew - Trzej Królowie

P.Wishart - Alleluja nowe dzieło nam się objawiło

R.Twardowski - Regina Coeli

Manager:

Jacek Rzempołuch mob. +48 728 939 174 tel. +48 71 330 52 18 fax +48 71 330 52 12 jacek.rzempoluch@nfm.wroclaw.pl