Who would not know the famous Minuet from one of Luigi Boccherini's string quartets? The graceful composition is not the only catchy work penned by this talented Classicist. The Wrocław Baroque Orchestra under the direction of Jarosław Thiel invites you to a fascinating meeting with the work of the Italian composer. This time, the ensemble will be accompanied by the internationally successful soprano Marie Lys.
 
Luigi Boccherini from an early age showed great musical talent and already as a teenager played the cello perfectly. Initially, he devoted himself to a virtuoso career, by the time when, as a 25-year-old, he published his compositions for the first time. These included six string quartets and sets of trios for two violins and cellos. These pieces quickly brought Boccherini the title of an unmatched composer of chamber music. And although in fact his output is dominated by works for small instrumental line-ups, he was also the author of successful theatrical, liturgical and solo works, as well as those intended for orchestra. Over thirty of the latter have survived to this day, of which a significant part are symphonies. Two of them feature in the programme dedicated to Boccherini. The first will be the Symphony in C minor op. 41, commissioned in the 1780s by Prussian Prince Wilhelm. At the request of the ruler, a slightly younger Symphony in D minor, Op. 37 No. 3 was written, a work that was to fall into oblivion for many years.
 
Boccherini's symphonic output, although quite distant from the work of the contemporary Viennese Classicists, has a lot of charm. Symphonies penned by the Italian composer have a three-movement structure and a certain freedom of form. The way Boccherini treats the orchestra reveals his passion for music for small instrumental ensembles. There is no powerful sound in these works, but there are solutions typical of an avid chamber musician who devoted a lot of attention to instruments (often entrusting them with interesting solo parts). There is no shortage of graceful melodic lines in these works, arranged in themes that remain in the listener's memory for a long time. Boccherini's musical language, full of grace and lightness, was also perfect for writing music intended for outdoor performances, which included eighteenth-century serenades and divertimenti. Boccherini's unmistakable talent for creating engaging melodies is perfectly reflected in his vocal music. A great example of this is Se d'un amor tiranno – an aria accademica for soprano and cello with orchestra accompaniment. This time, the vocal part will be sung by the amazing Marie Lys, prize-winner at prestigious vocal competitions. Among her successes is the victory at the Internationaler Gesangswettbewerb für Barockoper Pietro Antonio Cesti in Innsbruck in 2018.