Poland. NOSPR Katowice. New Year's Eve Sparkling Radio Salon Conversation | 31.12.2017

On the last day of the past year, the musical journey took us to the headquarters of the National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio (NOSPR) in Katowice, to be enveloped in the warm atmosphere of this acoustically exceptional hall during a brilliantly arranged New Year's Concert preceding the customary ball held there.
The hosts – musicians of one of the best Polish symphony orchestras along with the invited guests for this day: Andrzej Dobber and Urška Arlić Gololić, as well as the conductor Bassem Akiki, who set the rhythm for the entire event, introduced us to the ball atmosphere of the Parisian salon of 'The Merry Widow', through which invited characters danced in rhythm.
After the overture of 'The Force of Destiny' resonated, the first to appear was Falstaff, but fortunately, he remained unnoticed, as right behind him came others worthy of our attention, and the actual New Year's celebration began.
Urška Arlić Gololić dazzled in the arias of Violetta from 'La Traviata', Andrzej Dobber impressed in Germont's aria, and the first part of the concert concluded with the enchanting ballet music from 'Lady Macbeth', an effect achieved solely thanks to the excellent preparation of the orchestra and the undeniable talents of its select ensemble.
Just after the break, the colors and a dose of unease were added by the always flirtatious 'Don Giovanni' (Andrzej Dobber) and the concertedly resistant Zerlina (Urška Arlić Gololić), as she was soon to play a completely different role and sing beautifully.
Later, it was only dance, joy, and a very happy ending, to which the director Joanna Wnuk - Nazarowa raised her glass of champagne, as befits an exceptional last day of the old year.

Iwona Karpińska
Wrocław