3rd International Witold Friemann Festival of Vocal Chamber Music

The organization of the 3rd International Witold Friemann Festival of Vocal Chamber Music aims to preserve and promote Polish cultural heritage and strengthen social identity by raising awareness of the richness of national culture. Special emphasis will be placed on popularizing the still underexplored vocal and piano compositions of Witold Friemann.

The festival program includes a series of concerts entitled “Musical Encounters in the Tranquility of Subcarpathian Residences”, an International Scientific Conference, and the International Summer Masterclasses “The Music of Summer Sounds” for singers and pianists, which will take place in Jarosław. The event combines concert, academic, and educational activities, offering an important platform to promote Polish chamber music on the international stage.

International Summer Masterclasses in Singing & Piano “Music of Summer Sounds” in Jarosław

Venue: CKiP in Jarosław, in collaboration with the Frédéric Chopin State School of Music in Jarosław
Dates: July 7–12, 2024

Vocal instructors:

• Dr. hab. Kamila Kułakowska – Academy of Music, Bydgoszcz

• Dr. hab. Maciej Bartczak – Academy of Music, Katowice

Accompanying pianists:

• Mgr Rafał Hołub

• Dr. Wojciech Stysz

Piano instructors:

• Prof. dr hab. Cezary Sanecki – Academy of Music, Łódź

• Prof. dr hab. Mariusz Sielski – Academy of Music, Kraków

Accompanying events:

• Concert series at Zarzecze Palace, Sieniawa Palace, and Jarosław Market Square

• Integration barbecue at Sieniawa Palace

• Tour of the Jarosław Underground

• International Scientific Conference titled “Dialogue of Voice and Piano in the Musical Space”

• Vocal masterclass led by Prof. dr hab. Jacek Ścibor

International Scientific Conference

Title: “Dialogue of Voice and Piano in the Musical Space”
Venue: Centre for Culture & Promotion in Jarosław
Date: July 12, 2025

Speakers & Topics:

• Prof. Olga Popowicz – “Vocal Chamber Music in the Works of Composers”

• Prof. Marta Wierzbieniec – “I Sing in a Choir – and I Know What I’m Doing”

• Prof. Jolanta Skorek-Münch – “The Romantic Song as a Synthesis of Arts in Robert Schumann’s Views”

• Prof. Cezary Sanecki – “Performance Issues in Works for Two Pianos and Four Hands”

• Prof. dr hab. Jacek Ścibor – “Plasticity of Movement and Body Awareness in the Vocalist”

• Dr. hab. Maciej Bartczak – “Vocal Courses: Their Types and Significance in the Artistic Development of Young Singers”

• Dr. hab. Anna Marek-Kamińska – “Harmony Through Dialogue – On the Role of Consonance and Cooperation in the Mission of the Polish Union of Choirs and Orchestras, from a Conductor’s Perspective on Shaping Shared Musical Identity”

• Dr. Dominik Lasota – “Chance as a Creative Impulse: Use of Spontaneously Recorded Sound Material in the Composition Process and the Aesthetic Shaping of Contemporary Music”

“Musical Encounters in the Tranquility of Subcarpathian Residences” – Concert Series

This concert cycle is designed to create an intimate setting for chamber music, promoting high-quality classical repertoire and deepening listener engagement through brief pre-concert talks. It fosters cultural integration in historic venues.

Sieniawa Palace – August 10, 17:00

Performers: Renata Johnson‑Wojtowicz (soprano), Jagoda Pietrusiak‑Kasprzyk (flute), Marcin Kasprzyk (piano)
Program:

• Witold Friemann: “Złuda” (1916), selections from op. 291, op. 283, op. 205, op. 260, and op. 44 (dating 1922–24)

• Cecile Chaminade – Concertino for flute and piano, op. 107

• Tadeusz Szeligowski – Sonata for flute and piano

Baranów Sandomierski Castle – August 24, 17:00

Performers: Rafał Bartmiński (tenor), Renata Johnson‑Wojtowicz (soprano), Marcin Kasprzyk (piano)
Program:

• Works by W. Friemann, I.J. Paderewski, M. Karłowicz, S. Moniuszko, G. Puccini…and duets by Puccini and Verdi

Krasiczyn Castle – September 21, 18:00

Performers: Paweł Kroczek (clarinet), Michał Gajda (accordion)
Program:

• Gaubert, Saint‑Saëns, Pierné, Bernstein, Mateja, Kaszuba, Williams, Kovacs

Niwiska Manor – September 28, 17:00

Performers: Jagoda Pietrusiak‑Kasprzyk (flute), Maciej Zeszut (clarinet), Wioletta Fluda‑Tkaczyk (piano)
Program:

• Webster, Saint‑Saëns, Liebermann, Peterson

Zarzecze Palace – October 12, 17:00

Performers: Marianna Poltorak (soprano), Olha Kozlan (piano)
Program:

• Songs by Witold Friemann and Karol Szymanowski (settings of Tetmajer and Kasprowicz), plus works by Wasyl Barwiński 

Festival Finale

Event: Concert performance of Puccini’s Tosca (concert version)
Venue: Cultural Centre in Przemyśl
Date: December 14 (year implied: 2025)

Cast & Crew:

• Director: Grzegorz Eckert

• Tosca: Renata Johnson‑Wojtowicz

• Mario Cavaradossi: Rafał Bartmiński

• Baron Scarpia: Adam Szerszeń

• Spoletta: Tomasz Furman

• Angelotti: Jakub Trałka

• Sacristan / Sciarrone: Maciej Bartczak

• Prison Guard: Zbigniew Poręba / Jakub Trałka

• ARSO Ensemble (chamber orchestra)

• Piano accompaniment: Marcin Kasprzyk