TRAVEL PRESENTS

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN EASTER FESTIVAL AT NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC HALL The Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival was established by Elzbieta Penderecka, wife of world known Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki. The festival boasts a unique atmosphere that derives from excellent musical performances, the participation of outstanding soloists and conductors, famous orchestras, chamber ensembles and choirs, and the inclusion of often intriguing exhibitions.

April 7, 2019 – Sunday (Welcome Dinner) CITY OF YOUNG TALENTS Arrival in Warsaw. Short orientation walk through Warsaw’s which history goes back to the late 13th century and entered on the UNESCO list of the World. In Warsaw you can also follow the steps of young Stanislaw Moniuszko – the father of Polish Opera, who took his first music lessons in Warsaw, just like Frederic did and completed his musical education in this very city, now also the seat of the International Chopin Piano Competition that promotes and discovers young talents. With such music traditions Warsaw also gave its music heart to the Easter Ludwig Van Beethoven Festival.

A welcome dinner at Delicia Restaurant, a perfect place to feel the taste of Polish cuisine in splendid charming interiors. Located on the Royal Route, just few stops from the historical Old Town fits into the charm of Old Warsaw, in the building from 1860–1861, one of the former residences of aristocratic Lubomirski family. It is also a place, where in the year 1925, Madame Maria Skłodowska-Curie met other professors of physics and chemistry to have a cup of tea and spent this time on academic discussions.

7.00 p.m. – NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC HALL Program to include: OPENING CONCERT of the 23rd EASTER LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN FESTIVAL

April 8, 2019 – Monday WARSAW (Breakfast & Lunch) TRACES AND INFLUENCES Morning tour in the footsteps of Frederic Chopin in Warsaw. Star with a stop at the Castle’s Square where between 1826-1831 a building stood belonging to Sisters Bernadine with a music school lead by Joseph Elsner, Chopin’s music teacher. Walk along the Krakowskie Przedmiescie street with stop by the building of Res Sacra Miser. It was here where young Chopin was giving his first public concerts, at Namiestnikowski Palace and the Church of Nuns of the Visitations, as well.

A visit to the Chopin Drawing Room where Chopin performed his etudes, some , and mazurkas for the first time. There is a commemorative plaque in the front of the building. Interiors were reconstructed in 1960’s according to original sketch made by Chopin’s schoolmate Antoni Kolbert. See the Kazimierzowski Palace, seat of the Warsaw Lycee which Chopin enters in 1823. Last stop along the Royal Route is at the Krasiński Palace, where Chopin’s family lived and where was the famous Chopin’s grand piano commemorated in the poem by Norwid “Chopin’s Piano”, who said about Chopin “Varsavian by birth, Pole by heart, global citizen by talent”. Visit to Holy Trinity Church of Evangelical Church of Augsburg Confession where Chopin gave his concerts and used to listen to Bach organ music. A lecture: „Bach & Chopin – influences and tendencies in the music of both composers”. Just as Chopin used to, you will also listen to a private organ concert of J.S. Bach.

7.00 p.m. – NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC HALL Program to include: CONCERT of the 23rd EASTER LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN FESTIVAL

April 9, 2019 – Tuesday WARSAW (Breakfast & Lunch) MUSIC FAMILY TRADITIONS Half day tour of Warsaw’s outskirts. Drive in Żelazowa , a small village of Mazovian region where on February 22, 1810 Frederic Chopin was born. This is where he heard his mother play on the piano and took his very first piano classes given first by his sister Ludwika and later on by a Czech teacher Wojciech Żywny. See the museum devoted to our great composer and his family that is located in the preserved annex of the former manor. Museum contains copies of marriage certificate of Chopin’s parents, Fryderyk’s certificate of birth and baptism, manuscripts, drawings and letters as well as other memorabilia. Walk along the beautiful park surrounding the museum.

Lunch at Przepis na Kompot Restaurant located in the immediate vicinity of the birth of Frederic Chopin is primarily natural, fragrant, aromatic Polish cuisine, which is based on the highest quality products including juicy, refreshing fruit orchards and the Polish firm vegetables. Grilled, boiled or baked meat in the traditional way, are surrounded by colorful vegetables will satisfy any connoisseur of the culinary arts. Continue to Brochów village famous for its Gothic parish church which witnessed many important events from the Chopin family life.

After return back to Warsaw we invite you to meet with a family of musicians who give over their passion for music from generation to generation. You will not only admire their music skilles in a private recital but also here the story of the family tied with tunes and rythm. Meet Jan Muranty (composer and pianist) and his talented wife Margaret (violinist), son Paul (pianist) and daughter Tatiana (flutist).

IN THE EVENING WE INVITE YOU FOR A PRIVATE CHOPIN PIANO CONCERT Performed by one of the participants of the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition that will be held in Warsaw in October 2020

April 10, 2019 – Wednesday WARSAW (Breakfast & Lunch) MEMORY JOURNEY A morning visit to Chopin’s Museum is located in the Ostrogski Palace. Italian designers Migliore & Servetto are responsible for the innovative and state of the art exhibition concept which was announced as an exceptional and the most interesting biographical museum in Europe. It has 4 floors, each, dedicated to different aspect and period in Chopin’s life. The cellar presents Chopin as a composer/pianist along with his followers. The ground floor presents Żelazowa Wola period, child’s room, Mr. saloon and exhibit “ Warsaw in the times of Chopin” . First floor focuses on Parisian life, Nohant and on women in his life. Second and the last floor is dedicated to Chopin’s European Journeys, his Personality and finally his death. The Museum is fully interactive and most technically advanced. Each visitor receives a special token/chip which is a guide to individual tour through the exhibition. The token placed in one of the many readers allows to listen to the music, view rare manuscripts and listen to the information in many languages. The visitors hear the noise of 19th Parisian street, sounds from the kitchen at Nohant mansion, smell the aroma of Chopin’s favourite violets etc. Beside the rare and precious 800 manuscripts and autographs viewers are able to see Chopin’s personal belonging including his clothes, coffee cup, handkerchief, pens and jewelry. Entire museum sounds with Chopin’s music except with the room commemorating his death which is dark silent. His post mortal mask is presented there and the piece of his natural hair.

7.00 p.m. – NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC HALL Program to include: CONCERT of the 23rd EASTER LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN FESTIVAL

April 11, 2019 - Thursday WROCLAW (Welcome Dinner) A morning departure for Wroclaw.

The city of Wrocław is renowned for international music festivals, the biggest of which is "Wratislavia Cantans". Wroclaw is also the venue of such music events, as: Jazz on the Odra River Festival, Days of the Music of Old Masters, Singing Actors' Festival, Jazz All Souls' Day, Wroclaw Meetings of One-Actor Theatres and Small Theatrical Forms as well as International Theatre Festival Dialog-Wroclaw. Opera shows held in Wroclaw's , which are famous throughout Europe, delight with monumental character. Recently Wroclaw opened on of the most splendid music halls and cultural center, the sound and architecture masterpiece – the National Forum of Music.

WROCLAW – THE CULTURAL CAPITAL OF EUROPE 2016 Arrival in Wroclaw - once described as “the holy blossom of Europe, a beautiful gem among cities” has always been a bone of contention, changing hands many times throughout its long history. Take an orientation walk through the heart of Wroclaw, the Market Square with the beautiful buildings and the Town Hall, that is recognized as gem of Gothic-Renaissance urban architecture. Enjoy your welcome dinner at one of the restaurants located in the lovely Wroclaw Old Town. You will also have a chance to try dishes of the Silesian cuisine, characteristic for this region of .

7.00 p.m. – WROCLAW OPERA HOUSE Program to include: DON GIOVANNI by WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART

April 12, 2019 - Friday WROCLAW (Breakfast & Lunch) SPLENDOUR OF CLASSIC ARCHITECTURE & MUSIC Wroclaw became a modern industrial and cultural center that stimulates development of Lower . Situated on the Odra River is boast of many picturesque islands and bridges. attractions, such as: the Gothic Town Hall, the Aula Leopoldina at the Wroclaw University or the Centennial hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wroclaw offers a wide variety of places to see and free time to enjoy in the Wroclaw Opera House, the Philharmonic Hall or during the Wroclaw Music Festival. Odra River also gives additional beauty with 200 bridges connecting different parts of the city. Wroclaw's fascinating history reflects also the past of the entire Central Europe and it does its best to benefit from this historical multiculturalism of the city like, for example, having the District of Tolerance, a small area shared by the houses of worship of four different religious denominations: an Orthodox church, a Roman , a Lutheran church and a synagogue. Finally, last but not least, it give the opportunity to meet with local people including 150 dwarfs that live in the city that you can try to look for while your visit to Wroclaw.

After lunch see the UNESCO site Centennial Hall (Hala Ludowa) a landmark in the history of reinforced concrete architecture, was erected in 1911-1913 by . The Centennial Hall, a multi-purpose recreational building, is a centrally-planned structure situated on the Exhibition Grounds. The Centennial Hall is a pioneering work of modern engineering and architecture. See “The Wrocław Fountain at Pergola” that offers a multimedia spectacle affecting several senses. Water jets 40 meters up creating a screen of seven hundred square meters, on which colored animations are displayed, accompanied by music and natural sounds of splash and patter. The Wrocław multimedia fountain is one of only several similar objects in the world. In the one hectare basin are installed almost 300 nozzles of different types: geysers, foggy, pointed, palm and also three fire nozzles. There are as well lasers and music. Almost 800 small and big sources of light are placed in the basin.

7.00 p.m. – WROCLAW OPERA HOUSE Program to include: FAUST by CHARLES GOUNOD

April 13, 2019 - Saturday WROCLAW (Breakfast & Lunch) SOUND & TECHNOLOGY Visit the outstanding interiors of the newly opened National Forum of Music - the institution of culture, co-governed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage. The National Forum of Music operates the state-of-the-art multifunctional concert venue of the same name located in the historic centre of Wrocław. The NFM building was designed by Kuryłowicz & Associates Architecture Studio, selected through an international competition. The architect was inspired by the musical instrument - the shape of the string instrument. The foyer, covered with black and white Corian, brings to mind the piano keyboard. Enjoy a guided tour of the interiors, such as: foyer with rich art collection, outstanding concert halls, technicians’ rooms which are not opened to the music public. You will also get to know the secrets of the innovative acoustic technics used while designing the building.

After lunch at Forum Restaurant take a picturesque boat trip on Odra River with stop at the Ostrow Tumski, a Cathedral Island, where first settlement was established in the 9th century with the imposing Gothic Cathedral and numerous of smaller churches and bishop’s residences.

6.00 p.m. – NATIONAL FORUM OF MUSIC Program to include: The Cosmic Lives of Trees B. BARTÓK DIVERTIMENTO SZ.113, BB.118 A. PANUFNIK ARBOR COSMICAF. MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY DOUBLE CONCERTO IN D MINOR FOR VIOLIN, PIANO AND STRING ORCHESTRA MWV O4 Performed by: Jakub Jakowicz – violin & direction Paweł Wakarecy – piano NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra

April 14, 2019 – Sunday WROCLAW – SWIDNICA – WROCLAW (Breakfast & Lunch) WINE & OLD TESTAMENT BOOK Morning drive to see the Swidnica – Church of Peace – UNESCO Site – the largest timber-framed religious building in Europe, was built in the former Silesia in the mid-17th century, amid the religious strife that followed the Peace of Westphalia. Constrained by the physical and political conditions, the Church of Peace bears testimony to the quest for religious freedom and is a rare expression of Lutheran ideology in an idiom generally associated with the Catholic Church.

On the way back visit the Vineyard Adoria. Meet Mike Whitney who decided to combine his love and knowledge of wine with the perfect growing conditions of Southwest Poland and created Adoria Vineyards; enjoy a wine degustation based on three of the big four grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling.

6.00 p.m. – NATIONAL FORUM OF MUSIC Program to include: Dark Matins F. COUPERIN LEÇONS DE TÉNÈBRES OTHER WORKS FOR THE LENT Performed by: Andrzej Kosendiak – conductor Aldona Bartnik – soprano Alto TBC Maciej Gocman – tenor Bass TBC Wrocław Baroque Ensemble

Farewell dinner at the Pod Papugami Restaurant, the place with unique artistic atmosphere, like nowhere else in Wroclaw with interiors resounded with jazz & blues live music performed by the musician from Music Theater. Delicious cuisine, fanciful décor style and sound of music will give you a wonderful time to remember about after discovering the music roots in Wroclaw.

April 15, 2019 – Monday WROCLAW (B) Enjoy your breakfast and time to catch the last picturesque parts of the city on your way for your departure flight.