Their presentation, however, was not a solitary one. Alongside the Chamber Choir, conducted by professor Krzysztof Szydisz, also performed the members of the Beethoven Society Choir – in the second half of the program, voices from both hemispheres were combined, and their unified song resounded throughout the church.

The Australian Beethoven Society Choir.

Bogurodzica, Hackenberger’s Salve Regina, Zieliñski’s Ortus de Polonia as well as ¦wider’s Cantus Gloriosus were presented in the repertoire of the first half, as well as the more modern Swignle’s Pastime With Good Company, Wood’s Blue Skies, Krajewski’s and Osieckiej’s Niech ¿yje bal as well as a magnificent rendition of Waltzing Matilda.

In the second half, soloists performed two pieces - Menelssohn’s Elijah and Schubert’s Ave Maria – sung by Leon Warnock and Diona Condack. The two choirs, together, then proceeded to magnificently perform the two principle points of the program – the Requiem as well as Cantique de Jean Racine, composed by Fauré.

The Choir from Poznañ, which toured Australia from the 28th of January to the 21st of February, equally mesmerised spectators in Melbourne and Canberra. Thanks to the invitation of the Polish Community Council of Australia and New Zealand, the Polish community of Australia had an unrepeatable chance of participating in the concertering of this unique group.

The Adam Mickiewicz University Chamber Choir of Poland.

The choir equally presented its talents to Australians – particularly during the Ninth International Multicultural Festival held in Canberra, from the 5th to the 18th of February.

The Choir, gathered on the steps of Saint James’s Church, Sydney.

And with what impressions did the Choir leave Australia? Undoubtedly, the sunny weather, the golden sands of breathtaking beaches and savage bushland, high temperatures as well as contemporary Australian cities, will remain embossed upon their memories.

Photographs – Tomasz ¦wi±tek.

To read the Polish language version of this article, click here.