The theme, as the organizers explain, was created several years ago, and today – due to the tragedy in Ukraine – its significance has taken on an additional dimension. On September 13, Jarosław Thiel – conductor, Tomáš Král – baritone, and the Wrocław Baroque Orchestra performed for the Bolesławiec audience. The basilica was filled with, among other things, the sounds of operatic works by Georg Friedrich Händel, Reinhard Keiser and Attilio Ariosti.
The “Kings in the North” concert was an unforgettable feast for music lovers. The program featured a wealth of repertoire by Baroque composers: Thomas Arne, Overture to the opera Alfred; Georg Friedrich Händel, Tirannia gli diede il regno – aria from the opera Rodelinda HWV 19; Johann Helmich Roman, Datti pace, alma reale – aria from the cantata Festa musicale; Georg Philip Telemann, Chaconne comique from the opera Der neumodische Liebhaber Damon, oder Die Satyrn in Arcadien TWV 21:8; Johann David Heinichen, Si teme si freme – aria from the oratorio La pace di Kamberga S.19; Georg Friedrich Händel, Courante from the opera Almira HWV 1; Reinhard Keiser, Ich muss schweigend von dir gehen – aria from the opera Fredegunda; Georg Friedrich Händel, Menuet from the opera Almira HWV 1; Georg Caspar Schürmann, Dich soll der Freiheit Gold bekrönen – aria from the opera Ludovicus Pius, oder Ludwig der Fromme; Georg Friedrich Händel, Concerto from the opera Ottone, re di Germania HWV 15; Attilio Ariosti, Questo mar – aria from the opera La fede ne’ tradimenti; Thomas Arne, Largo and Con spirito from Overture in G minor No. 8 from the collection Eight Overtures in 8 Parts; Reinhard Keiser, Ach! Nero ist nicht Nero mehr! and Erstaune, sichrer Kreis der Welt – recitative and aria from the opera Octavia; Georg Philip Telemann, Intrada from the opera Pastorelle en musique; Ihr krachenden Klüfte – aria from the opera Der neumodische Liebhaber Damon, oder Die Satyrn in Arcadien TWV 21:8.
A standing ovation was the music lovers' thank-you and an expression of the highest appreciation for the artists following the Bolesławiec concert held as part of the 57th International Wratislavia Cantans Festival.