17 February 2014

Chopin in Manchester, UK

 
This sculpture, in Deansgate, Manchester, commemorates the bi-centenary of Fryderyk Chopin's birth. It is by the Polish sculptor Robert Sobocinski and depicts Baroness Aurore Lucile Dupon, Chopin's muse, on the right.
 
'Fryderyk Chopin

Fryderyk Chopin was one of the world's greatest musical composers.
His compositions combined elements of his his beloved Polish culture
with universal ones, which gave his music international appeal.

He visited Manchester in the year before his death, at the early age of 39.
On Monday, August 28th 1848 a gravely ill Fryderyk Chopin gave
a Gala Concert before a rapturous audience of 1200
at the Gentleman's Concert Hall, which was situated at the corner of
Peter Street and Lower Mosley Street.

Despite serious ill-health he insisted that he would perform, a fact which has forever endeared him to Mancunians and music lovers everywhere.'

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