Concert - Sainte Anne

A few days after I arrived in Guadeloupe for the second time, a Polish friend asked me whether I was interested in singing a Polish carrol at a Christmas concert at the church of Ste-Anne. The concert was to take place on December 26, and involved the participation of a diversified orchestra, conducted by yet another Polish. Seems like the Polish immigrants in Guadeloupe all love music:-)

At first I only listened to the rehearsals. The orchestra was a fantastic combo of experienced classical musicians (I was particularly impressed with the performance of a middle-aged violin player), less experienced youth, and a few young Gwo-Ka drummers. An eclectic yet truly interesting idea!

I was thirilled to join the Christmas concert, which turned out to be an unforgettable event. In the repertoire - Vivaldi's "Gloria," a numer of works by Brahms, Mozart, Bach, and a few Christmas carrols, including two from Guadeloupe ("Joseph, mon cher fidèle" et "Michaud veillait"), one from England ("What Child Is This?"), and our Polish traditional "Lulajże Jezuniu."

"Joseph, mon cher fidèle"
Marie :
Joseph, mon cher fidèle,
Cherchons un logement,
Le temps presse et m'appelle
A mon accouchement.
Je sens le fruit de vie,
Ce cher enfant des cieux,
Qui d'une sainte vie,
Va paraître à nos yeux.
Joseph :
Dans ce triste équipage,
Marie allons chercher,
Par tout le voisinage,
Un endroit pour loger.
Ouvrez, voisin la porte,
Ayez compassion
D'une vierge qui porte
Votre Rédemption.

"Lulajże Jezuniu"
Lulajże Jezuniu, moja Perełko,
Lulaj ulubione me Pieścidełko.
Lulajże Jezuniu, lulajże lulaj!
A Ty Go, Matulu, w płaczu utulaj.

Zamknijże znużone płaczem powieczki,
Utulże zemdlone łkaniem usteczki.
Lulajże Jezuniu, lulajże lulaj!
A Ty Go, Matulu, w płaczu utulaj.

With other singers:
With my wonderful audience after the concert: