Polish Art Philharmonic / Aleksandra Opała / Michael Maciaszczyk

At the heart of the first part of the program is one of the most dazzling figures in music history: Farinelli, born Carlo Broschi. In the 18th century, he was a European superstar, celebrated at courts from London to Madrid. His extraordinary voice, with a range of more than three octaves, inspired composers such as George Frideric Händel to write virtuoso arias. Farinelli, however, was more than just a singer—he was a projection of longings and a symbol of an era caught between artistic freedom and personal sacrifice. His career tells a story of fame, loneliness, and the overwhelming power of music.

This historical figure is given a modern voice in Hamburg: coloratura mezzo-soprano Aleksandra Opała. The internationally sought-after singer is regarded as a specialist in the Baroque and bel canto repertoire. Her interpretations are technically brilliant and, at the same time, emotionally nuanced. »This music demands absolute devotion,« says Opała. With expressiveness and vocal precision, she breathes new life into the arias.

After the intermission, Antonio Vivaldi’s famous »Four Seasons« (Le quattro stagioni)—one of the most frequently performed works in classical music—will be performed. Serving as both violinist and conductor, Maciaszczyk shapes the work with a special closeness to the orchestra. »The seasons are like a musical mirror,« he explains: »Everyone hears their own memories, moods, and hopes in them.« The ensemble’s goal, he says, is to build bridges—between past and present, between connoisseurs and the curious. The special atmosphere of the Laeiszhalle provides the ideal setting for this. So we can look forward to a concert that impressively combines Baroque operatic passion and orchestral timbres. Or, as Maciaszczyk puts it: »If people go home after the concert with sparkling eyes, then we’ve done everything right.«