Not even
a snowstorm of epic proportions would stop some 400
guests from making their way to the magnificent DeLamarr
Mansion in Murray Hill home to the Consulate General of
the Republic of Poland for a multi tiered celebration
hosted by the soon to be departing Krzysztof W.
Kasprzyk, Consul General of the Republic of Poland.
It was a
testament to the respect, admiration and love the Polish
and Polish American community has for Kasprzyk, that so
many braved the elements to toast this singular man who
has done much to foster relations not only with the
American community but the Jewish community worldwide.
The
traditional Polish holiday event celebrated not only the
90th anniversary of the Polish Consulate in
New York but the 20th anniversary of the
independence of Poland; the 10th anniversary
of free voting in the country and the completion of
restoration on the Consulate’s home the historic
landmark mansion one of the finest examples of
Beaux-Arts architecture in the country. Under Kasprzyk’s
watchful eye the stately manse has been returned to it
early 1900s glory.
Following cocktails in
the main salon, guests were treated to a lovely song
fest of traditional Polish, English and Latin Christmas
carols in the splendor of the music room. Top stars from
the world’s greatest opera stages including the
Metropolitan Opera and New York City Operas stepped up
to the grand piano to sing accompanied by the brilliant
pianist Roman
Markowicz.
The petite blond Polish opera star soprano
Małgorzata
Kellis
perfomed a beautiful ‘”Gesu Bambino” and two Polish
hymns Gdy Śliczna Panna and Lulajże Jezuniu Markowicz.
American singer mezzo soprano
Judith Kellock
sang
the hauntingly beautiful
What Child is This and
in Latin “Ave Maria”
; Barbara
Revi
contributed another Polish carol followed by Met Opera
baritone the truly magnificent singer
Mariusz
Kwiecień.
Early on
in his opening remarks, Kasprzyk promised a few
surprises and did he deliver when one of the world’s
greatest living pianists Byron Janis was
introduced and took his seat at the piano to rhapsodize
the audience with his Chopin stylings. Hamptons’ music
lovers have been familiar with Janis for years. He and
his wife painter Maria Cooper Janis longtime
Hamptons residents were among the guiding forces behind
the founding of the Music Festival of the Hamptons.
The big treat of the
evening was Polish soprano
Malgorzata Kellis
performing Janis’ original composition “The Warmth of
Christmas” with the Maestro himself accompanying her!
Thunderous applause followed the very last note of the
Christmas classic.
Still
more surprises came when the Consul General presented to
Maria Cooper Janis a poster featuring her late
father, the legendary actor Gary Cooper, in his famous
scene from “High Noon”. Only instead of a gun in his
hand he held a ballot and the poster encouraged all
Poles to vote. The Consul General gave the Janis’ the
original 1999 election poster and they in return gave
him the First Day Edition of the U.S. Postal stamp
bearing Gary Cooper’s portrait which was just issued by
the Post Office last month. A lovely and meaningful
exchange on both sides!
There
were many quiet tears that evening. It was very apparent
that Krzysztof Kasprzyk will be much missed by the New
York cultural community as he takes off for another
diplomatic posting. ‘Til we meet again Krzys, Adieu