Kraina: Songs of the Polish Diaspora

A concert and discussion of classical music from the Polish diaspora, featuring songs in both Polish and English.

Soprano Rebecca Murphy and pianist Cahal Masterson present music by Chopin, Szymanowski, and other composers on the themes of displacement, emigration, and the mingling of cultures. Central to the concert is Kraina, a collaboration between author Aleksandra Łojek and Northern Irish composer Anselm McDonnell. This collection of four songs sets poems from historical and contemporary Polish poets reflecting on the challenges of emigration and the integration of communities. The event also features a panel discussion with the artists about their collaborative work, chaired by Linda O’Shea Farren.

The main work on the programme, Kraina (Old Polish for land or border), describes a journey of emigration from Poland to the challenges faced by one woman who moved into a house by the Peace Wall in central Belfast during the Troubles. It begins with Jeżeli Porcelana by Stanisław Barańczak, a reeling, shocked depiction of the loss of home and possessions. The chirpy but somewhat naïve character of The House on the Interface juxtaposes an optimistic view of Belfast with an undercurrent of violence, with text taken from Aleksandra Łojek’s book Belfast 99. The third movement, sets emotional and nostalgic text from Adam Mickiewicz’s Pielgrzym to a soaring melody over a delicate piano accompaniment. The work ends with a biting and sarcastic commentary from Peter Skrzynecki on interactions between immigrants and locals in The Polish Immigrant.

Presented in partnership with Lyrebird Productions.

Tickets

£10/£8. Booking at Imagine! Belfast.