CONCERT GALA COPERNICUS 550 “Nothing more beautiful than the heavens”

at New York’s Carnegie Hall

November 28 2023, 8 PM, Weill Recital Hall

In connection with this year’s 550th anniversary of the birth of one of the most famous scientists in history, Nicolaus Copernicus, we invite you to the Gala Concert Copernicus 550 under the title “Nothing more beautiful than the heavens”.

The quote “Nothing more beautiful than the heavens” comes from Nicolaus Copernicus’ introduction to his work “On the revolutions of celestial bodies.” 

This concert aims to artistically remember the figure of Nicolaus Copernicus, astronomer, mathematician, physician, translator, economist, lawyer and diplomat, the most famous Pole in the world. A man whose work “On the revolutions of the heavenly bodies” redefined the place of man in the universe. Through music and word we will convey the artistic, cultural and scientific world of Nicolaus Copernicus, linked to Polish and world culture. The concert will feature four new artistic works specially commissioned by the Foundation for the occasion, “Nothing more beautiful than the heavens” and “Tombeau de Copernicus” by Norbert Palej, “Septem Sidera” by Krzysztof Niegowski and “Music for Copernicus” by Jan Krutul. In addition, the program will be complemented by other works connected with the theme of heaven and space by Polish composers such as Nocturnes by F. Chopin and K. Szymanowski, Fantasia by H. Wieniawski, Preludes by H.M. Górecki or “Lumen” in memory of Hevelius by Wojciech Kilar. In addition, the program will include some of the most beautiful opera arias such as “Aria Skołuby” by St. Moniuszko and “Nessum dorma” by G. Puccini.

More than 50 artists from 3 continents will perform in the concert, including the excellent bass Krzysztof Baczyk, who performs as a soloist at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and other most distinguished opera houses of the world: Paris Opera, Teatro Real in Madrid, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Opera, Opéra de Rouen, Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Glyndebourne Festival, Cologne Opera, Zurich Opera, Arena di Verona, ABAO Bilbao Opera, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris.

New York pianist Nicholas Kaponyas, clarinetist, and saxophonist Bence Szepesi, violinist Mariusz Monczak. Ensembles: the Calisia Ensemble and Con Brio de Montreal, as well as two New York Polish-American choirs: the Copernicus Children Choir (composed of students from the KOBO Music Studio, St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy and Greenpoint Children’s Choir) under the direction of Bożena Konkiel and the Polish Singers Alliance of America Choir under the direction of Darius Ocetek.

The concert will be hosted by actress Liliana Komorowska. More information

TICKETS can be purchased online, at the Carnegie Hall box office, or can be ordered at tel. (862) 236-6491.

The first edition of Nicolaus Copernicus’ work De Revolvtionibvs Orbium (1543) is in the New York Public Library. It was acquired in 1934 from antiquarian Ernst Philip Goldschmidt (1887-1954), who initially worked in Vienna (where he was originally from) and in 1923 opened his antique shop in London on Bond Str. specializing in medieval manuscripts, incunabula and books from the 16th century.