Maurice Durufle's Requiem will be performed by the Choir of the University of Gdańsk conducted by Paweł Przytocki together with soloists and the Orchestra of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic. October 21, the 33rd edition of the International Festival of Religious Music named after Fr. Stanisław Ormiński will begin in the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rumia.

The festival in this sanctuary of Rumia has already had 33 years of tradition, and it is dedicated to the Salesian Father Stanisław Ormiński, a musician, composer, humanist and educator of youth, who worked in Rumia for over a quarter of a century. The Festival includes three competitions: organ music - addressed to young organists, choir ensembles, and a competition for the best performance of a religious song in the Kashubian language.

An important element of the Festival is concerts, taking place at the end of each day of the competition, performed by outstanding artists and ensembles.

The programme includes, among others, October 21 (Thursday) - a concert for organ and harp Heavenly Instruments performed by Tomasz Adam Nowak from Germany (organ) and Carlos Penã Montoya from Costa Rica (harp).

On October 22 (Friday) we will hear Maurice Durufle's Requiem performed by the Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra, the University of Gdańsk Choir prepared by Marcin Tomczak and soloists - Anna Bernacka - mezzo-soprano, Jerzy Butryn - bass, conducted by Paweł Przytocki.

On October 23 (Saturday), a concert by the Choir of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University and the Choir of the University of Music conducted by Michał Sławecki is planned.

The Artistic Director of the Festival is prof. dr hab. Roman Perucki from the Academy of Music in Gdańsk, the General Director of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic, while the Organizing Director of the Festival is its originator and founder, Daniel Ptach.

The co-organisers of the Festival are Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, Salesian Society of St. John Bosco, Metropolitan Curia in Gdansk, Pomeranian Voivodeship Self-Government, Town Hall of Rumia, Wejherowo District Starosty, Polish Baltic Philharmonic, Music Universities in the country and abroad, Polish Association of Choirs and Orchestras.

Photo: Piotr Wajda