Annual Polish Christmas Concert Returns on December 17

Naugatuck CT

08 December, 2021

6:12 PM

Description

Featured performers include Pianist Nathaniel Baker, Soprano Jurate Švedaitė, Moniuszko Choir, and Flutist Jill Mauer Davis HARTFORD, CT - December 8, 2021 - The Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra will present its free Annual Polish Christmas Concert Celebration at First Church of Christ Congregational in New Britain on Friday, December 17, at 7 pm. Featured performers include Pianist Nathaniel Baker, Soprano Jurate Švedaitė, Moniuszko Choir, and Flutist Jill Mauer Davis. The program will include Frédéric Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21; a selection of Polish and popular Christmas carols and music; and several arrangements by Polish composer Jakub Kowalewski. The Polish-American Foundation of Connecticut is the Community Patron for the concert. "It is important to come together and celebrate life and traditions. Yes, we face the difficulties of the pandemic, but we have learned over the last two years how to safely be able to savor artistic life; and I am sure that we can share it safely with our audiences as we have done so many times over the last two years," said Adrian Sylveen, Artistic Director of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra. "The Virtuosi and the Moniuszko Choir will be delighted to celebrate the season with the Polish Christmas Concert, which is such a big part of the community. We hope to see you there." The Annual Polish Christmas Concert Celebration will be presented at First Church of Christ Congregational, 830 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, at 7 pm. The concert is free to attend, but free-will offerings will be gratefully accepted. To RSVP, visit https://thevirtuosi.ticketleap.com/annual-polish-christmas/. About Nathaniel BakerNathaniel Baker has performed as a concert pianist throughout the U.S., Europe, and South America. He studied piano with Luiz de Moura Castro and Irma Vallecillo. Nathaniel holds a Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance and Music Theory from The Hartt School and a Master's in Piano Performance from the University of Connecticut. He presently works as a staff accompanist at the University of Rhode Island. Baker has also served as music director for operatic and theatrical productions at Simsbury Light Opera Company, Choate Rosemary Hall, Madison Lyric Stage, and Seven Angels Theatre. About Jurate ŠvedaitėLithuanian soprano Jūratė Švedaitė has performed throughout Europe and the United States with the Lithuanian National Chamber Orchestra, Connecticut Lyric Opera, Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, Kaunas (Lithuania) Chamber Orchestra, Classical Orchestra of Piła (Poland) and the Lithuanian National Ensemble "Lietuva" among others. Ms. Švedaitė has appeared in venues as varied as Carnegie Hall, the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, and Foxwoods Resort and Casino. On the operatic stage, Ms. Švedaitė has performed more than 20 leading roles including the diva "Tosca", Violetta in "La Traviata", Mimi in "La bohème", Contessa in "Le Nozze di Figaro", Donna Anna in "Don Giovanni", Desdemona in "Otello", Senta in "Die Fliegende Hollander", Marguerite in "Faust" and Micaela in "Carmen". An active performer of sacred works and oratorios as well, her credits include Bach's "Mass in B minor", Mozart's "Requiem", Brahms' "Ein Deutsches Requiem", Verdi's "Requiem", and Orff's "Carmina Burana". The granddaughter of one of Lithuania's most revered composers and arrangers of traditional music, Jonas Švedas, Ms. Švedaitė attended the Lithuanian Music Academy where she earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Opera Performance and Vocal Instruction.