The Church of the Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic house of worship in Warsaw. Located opposite the main Warsaw University campus, it is one of the most notable Baroque churches in Poland's capital. The church was initially built in the 15th century, but has been renovated and refurbished many times over the year. Oddly enough, although composer Frederic Chopin is buried in France, his heart is actually buried in the crypt at Holy Cross! A truly historic venue that would make an excellent option for any Polish performance tour.
The Krakow Philharmonic is the city's main concert venue. One of the biggest auditoriums in the region, it contains two smaller rooms for chamber music events (the Golden Auditorium and the Blue Hall) in addition to the main hall, which has 693 seats for orchestral performances. A new 50-pipe organ was installed in 1996, helping to ensure that your ensemble will enjoy a world-class performance.
Polish Radio Hall (or Witold Lutoslawsko Concert Studio of Polish Radio) is considered to be one of the top recording studios in the region. Opened in 1991, it is also regarded among Poland's top concert halls in terms of acoustics. Witold Lutosawski, one of the great composers of the 20th century, inspired the naming of the studio even though he never actually conducted in this venue. After the National Philharmonic, it is likely the most important concert hall in Warsaw, and a worthy addition to any Polish performance tour.
St. Andrew's Church is a historic Romanesque church that was constructed between 1079 and 1098 by Palatine Sieciech in Krakow's Old Town neighborhood. It is a rare surviving illustration of a fortified church used for defense in Europe. One of the oldest structures in Krakow and one of the best-preserved in all of Poland, it was constructed in the Romanesque architectural style. When the Mongols attacked Krakow in 1241, it was the only church that managed to survive. The structure has undergone numerous renovations, but the current Baroque interiors include beautiful golden altars, artwork by Karol Dankwart, and Baltazar Fontana-designed ornamentation. A wonderful option for ensembles who want to play in a historic venue.
Near the Castle Square in the heart of Warsaw, you will find St. Anne's Church. One of Warsaw's oldest structures, it is a prominent church with a Neoclassical facade. It has undergone numerous reconstructions since it was originally built in 1454, however, it has been effectively untouched since the late 1700's. The surprisingly lavish interior is covered in lovely frescores and has a Baroque design with multiple chapels. There is also a viewing terrace with panoramic views of Warsaw's Old Town, making it an excellent option for any touring ensemble.
Regarded as one of Krakow's most exquisite Gothic cathedrals, St. Catherine's Church is a terrific option for ensembles visiting Poland. The beautiful Baroque high altar from 1634 still stands, and you can't miss the cloister embellished with Gothic murals and paintings from the 17th century. This church is immaculately maintained, beautifully decorated, and is guaranteed to make for a memorable performance.
Within Warsaw's Old Town district is St. John the Baptist Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church in the Brick Gothic style. Although there are several significant cathedrals in Warsaw, only St. John's is recognized as an archcathedral. It serves as the mother church for the Warsaw Archdiocese and is a revered part of Polish culture. Originally built in the 14th century in Masovian Gothic style, the church is currently listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
In an area several miles south of the city center, the Wrocaw Radio, a division of the Polish Radio, has its own concert venue. Built in 1942, this venue is a renowned cultural hall with a seating capacity of 500. The facility occasionally hosts some big names, and offers fantastic acoustics despite its age. This is a wonderful option for ensembles who want something a bit off the beaten path, but still place a lot of importance of good sound quality.
Located in Krakow, Poland on top of Wawel Hill is the Wawel Cathedral. Built over 900 years ago, this Cathedral has held Coronations for Polish Monarch's and is a sanctuary to the Polish national. A mass was even given by Pope John Paul II in the Cathedrals crypt. It was his first mass. The Cathedral is home to a beautiful gold altar that was built in 1650 and a crypt that houses Polish Kings and saints.
The Karol Lipiski Academy of Music is a significant hub for musical culture where education, research, and artistic endeavors come together. At any given moment, the Academy trains roughly 600 students who become instrumentalists, singers, conductors, composers, music educators, church musicians, and so much more. At the Academy, ensembles have access to fantastic venues with top notch acoustics.
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