A renowned Polish vocal ensemble treated Thomasians to a lyrical concert last Oct. 24 at the UST Museum.
“ProForma” delivered a poetic and nature-inspired repertoire under the baton of Marcin Wawruk, opening the night with Czeslaw Nieman’s “Plesn Wojow” (Knight’s Song), Marek Sart and Julian Tuwim’s “Wspomnienie” (Remembrance), and Andrej Zielinski and Agnieszka Osiecka’s “Nie Caluj Mnie Pierwsza” (Don’t Kiss Me The First).
The group went for dynamic changes in rhythm with Joe Burke and Al Dublin’s enticing “Tiptoe Through The Tulips,” Zygmunt Konieczny and Miron Bialoszewski’s dramatic “Karuzela z Madonnami” (Carousel With Madonnas), and Andrzej Zielinski and Leszek Moczulski’s suave “Noc W Krakowie” (Night in Cracow).
The first half of the concert ended with the ensemble performing “Lec Glosie Po Rosie” (Fly My Voice Over Dews), a traditional folk song about a tragic love story, and “Ptaszek” (Birdy), a song that tackles the ironies of entertainment and politics.
“It’s a great honor to be here. We met [with the UST Singers] only once but the friendship is still very much alive. It was also a great enjoyment to sing for people who understand completely what we’re doing,” Wawruk told the Varsitarian in an interview.
In the second half, ProForma rendered solemn pieces like “Ceciliada,” “Zbliza Sie Kupajlo” (Kupajlo’s Approaching), and “Ocalic Od Zapomnienia” (To Rescue From Oblivion).
The group shifted to more upbeat music with Bobby McFerrin’s “The Garden” and Roger Treece’s “Hear Our Cry,” interacting with the audience in the process.
They capped the night with Henryk Wars and Ludwik Starski’s “Juz Nie Zapomnisz Mnie” (You Won’t Forget Me).
Founded in 2000, ProForma has received various awards, the most notable of which is The Golden Lute.
