On a Sunday evening,
Susanna Jara-Małecka charmed the audience gathered in a church in
Binarowa. Her concert, performed as a part of the "Music
enchanted in wood" event organised by the Małopolska Tourism
Organisation, fulfilled its keynote. The young singer with Ukrainian
roots, who has lived in Poland for 22 years, managed to bring out the
music enchanted in wood. Her unique voice and repertoire drawing from
Old Church Slavonic, Ukrainian, Lemkovian, Russian, Polish and
English music, resonated in an unusual way in the Roman Catholic
Church of Archangel Michael.
When welcoming the guests, the
president of the Małopolska Tourist Organisation emphasised the
specific climate of that place, entered on the UNESCO's World
Heritage List in 2003. He added that there were five such places in
Gorlice county, which is sensational in Europe. The concerts revive
and promote them, not only as religious buildings.
Indeed, just like the artists of the olden days, who covered each centimetre of the church's surface with magnificent paintings, so did Susanna and her band fill the whole building and the audience's hearts with her beautiful voice and music. The audience themselves came in great numbers, forcing many to stand during the 90-minute concert, and at the end, the artist received a standing ovation. Susanna performed thirteen songs, specially selected for this type of place and occasion, to the accompaniment of keyboard (Paweł Harańczuk), violin (Maciej Waulwa) and double bass (Józef Michnik). The concert was titled "In six colours", which were manifested on several levels: language, diversity of music styles, themes and emotions. Susanna briefly introduced and described each of her songs, building a closer relationship with the audience.
The performance did not end with an encore. The music feast was complemented by a guide, Małgorzata Nalepa, who acquainted those interested with the church's history and some of its charms.