POLAND, Krynica Zdrój: A bouquet of musical flowers for Jan Kiepura.

Agnieszka Rehlis, Katarzyna Oleś - Blacha
fot. Marian Gdula

Have you ever been to a concert where the audience rises from their seats with a huge applause and burst of joy in the middle? That's exactly what happened in Krynica Zdrój just after Artur Ruciński's performance of the aria 'Largo al factotum' during a gala organized by the 'Aria' Association from Krakow on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Jan Kiepura's death.

Whether it's a singer or a barber who is extremely pleased with life? It was truly difficult to judge after such a spectacular performance with great virtuosity of this difficult aria. It's a miracle that there wasn't immediately a huge line to take advantage of the hairdressing skills of the audience gathered that day.

'Ah, che bel vivere, che bel piacere' 'Ah, bravo Figaro!' 'Fortunatissimo per verita!'

It was wonderful that we could admire this artistry twice, fortunately both Artur Ruciński and maestro Piotr Wajrak, who conducted the Polish Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra that day, didn't have to convince us for long that we really wanted it.

In the anniversary musical bouquet, Tomasz Kuk's performance of 'Nessun dorma' from 'Turandot' caused an avalanche of applause and we could immerse ourselves twice in the warm tone of his singing: 'Ed il mio bacio scoglierà il silenzio che ti fa mia!'

Undoubtedly, the artistic highlight of the evening were Agnieszka Rehlis and Katarzyna Oleś - Blacha, who enchanted not only the male part of the audience with a duet of flowers from 'Lakme' by L. Delibes.

'Sous le dôme épais, où le blanc jasmin
À la rose s'assemble
Sur la rive en fleurs, riant au matin
Viens, descendons ensemble.'

It sounded crystal clear...

Agnieszka Rehlis with the aria 'Stride la vampa' and her powerful voice ignited a fire in our imagination, while Katarzyna Oleś - Blacha brought tears to the eyes of fans of both her talent and the aria 'Casta diva' from the opera 'Norma'.

And the bass... Yes, there was one. And he sang exceptionally well too. Jacek Ozimkowski. He captured my attention in every performance. Bravo.

The quartet from 'Rigoletto' 'Bella Figlia dell'amore' adorned the end even more, and 'La ci darem la mano' by Mozart sung by Artur Ruciński and Katarzyna Oleś - Blacha was simply an artistic bow.

Tomasz Konina - the director gathered this whole musical bouquet together, and in homage to the great Krynica artist, Elżbieta Gładysz and Leszek Mikos presented it, with colorful radio voice, not only about the performed pieces, but also about the daily life and struggles of the beginning of his career.

I think Jan Kiepura would be truly proud... just as proud as his son - John Thade, who honored this special evening with his presence, saying: 'My father sang like an angel'... Tears of emotion welled up in my eyes.

This is the most beautiful way to remember those who have passed away, but thanks to such evenings they are still with us.