The Annual Polish Christmas Concert
Program:
F. Chopin - Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
Nathaniel Baker, piano soloist
A selection of Polish and other popular Christmas Carols and Tunes
with soprano Jurate Svedaite, and Moniuszko Choir and Guests.
The Selection will include several arrangements by Polish composer Jakub Kowalewski
The program will include the Carols sing-along.
The Concert is presented under the community patronage
of the Polish-American Foundation of Connecticut
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Nathaniel Baker has performed as a concert pianist throughout the U.S., Europe, and South America. He studied piano with Luiz de Moura Castro and Irma Vallecillo. Nathaniel holds a Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance and Music Theory from The Hartt School and a Master's in Piano Performance from the University of Connecticut. He presently works as a staff accompanist at the University of Rhode Island. Baker has also served as music director for operatic and theatrical productions at Simsbury Light Opera Company, Choate Rosemary Hall, Madison Lyric Stage, and Seven Angels Theatre.
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Possessing a vocal artistry and stage presence capable of “transfixing audiences with moments of opera magic,” Lithuanian soprano, Jūratė Švedaitė, has performed throughout Europe and the United States with the Lithuanian National Chamber Orchestra, Connecticut Lyric Opera, Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, Kaunas (Lithuania) Chamber Orchestra, Classical Orchestra of Piła (Poland) and the Lithuanian National Ensemble “Lietuva” among others. Ms. Švedaitė has appeared in venues as varied as Carnegie Hall, the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, and Foxwood’s Resort and Casino. On the operatic stage, Ms. Švedaitė has performed more than 20 leading roles including Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly, the diva Tosca, Violetta in La Traviata, Mimi in La bohème, Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Desdemona in Otello, Senta in Die Fliegende Hollander, Marguerite in Faust and Micaela in Carmen. An active performer of sacred works and oratorios as well, her credits include Bach’s Mass in B minor, Mozart’s Requiem, Brahm’s Ein Deutsches Requiem, Verdi’s Requiem, and Orff’s Carmina Burana. The granddaughter of one of Lithuania’s most revered composers and arrangers of traditional music, Jonas Švedas, Ms. Švedaitė attended the Lithuanian Music Academy where she earned Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Opera Performance and Vocal Instruction. Ms. Švedaitė resides in Southeastern Connecticut where she is an Associate Professor at Connecticut College.
