In a memorable celebration of classical brilliance, Delhi’s cultural heart pulsed with the romance and rhythm of Europe on Friday evening as ‘An Evening of Musical Melodies’ unfolded at Alliance Française de Delhi. The concert, co-presented by the Polish Institute New Delhi and the Austrian Cultural Forum, under the EUNIC India banner, brought together the sublime legacies of Poland and Austria through the timeless works of composers like Mozart, Chopin, Strauss, Paderewski, and Rozycki.
“We were delighted to present a special evening of musical brilliance at Alliance Française de Delhi that celebrated the rich classical traditions of Poland and Austria,” rejoiced Małgorzata WejsisGołębiak, Director of the Polish Institute New Delhi. “The works of Chopin, Paderewski, Mozart, Strauss, and others continue to inspire audiences across the world, and we were proud to bring this shared cultural heritage to the heart of Delhi.”
At the heart of the evening’s enchantment was Jowita Sip, a Vienna-based soprano of Polish origin whose commanding presence and crystalline voice brought emotional nuance to each piece. Born in Pila, a city in the beautifully scenic northwestern part of Poland, she began her artistic education at the young age of 5. Before embarking on her artistic journey under the guidance of Austrian masters and her connection to Vienna, she studied voice and performing arts at the State Music Academy in Poland.
She also studied vocal with the eminent tenor – soloist of the Grand Theatre – the National Opera in Warsaw, Michal Szopski. Sip subsequently trained at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna under Prof. Gerhard Kahry and Prof. Charles Spencer, Sip’s career includes engagements at the Volksoper Vienna, Mozarthaus, Bregenz Festival, and Vienna Musikverein, among others. She was awarded a diploma for her contribution to the European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018.
Accompanied by the sensitive and technically gifted Ukrainian pianist Vladyslav Kaznodii, the duo guided the audience through a journey that spanned courts and concert halls of 19th-century Europe. Sip, known for her expressive artistry and international stage presence, brought with her a sensibility steeped in European vocal tradition. Her partner at the piano, Kaznodii, a laureate of the Chopin Competition and the Golden Keys Competition, played with a finesse that balanced technical mastery with soulful interpretation.
No celebration of European classical music can be complete without invoking the names of Chopin and Strauss—two composers whose work defined the emotional and aesthetic sensibilities of their nations and beyond. Chopin’s music, drenched in nostalgia and Polish patriotism, speaks to a Europe grappling with loss and longing, while Strauss’s exuberant waltzes and operettas encapsulate the gaiety, elegance, and imperial poise of Habsburg Vienna.
To hear these giants performed side by side is to witness the duality of Europe’s spirit—melancholy and mirth, revolution and refinement—all converging in a shared cultural language that continues to resonate across centuries. The program featured a carefully curated repertoire, including Strauss’s jubilant ‘Greetings to You’ from the operetta ‘Vienna Blood,’ a festive tribute to the 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth, and Paderewski’s evocative ‘When the Last Rose Has Withered,’ showcasing the lyrical depth of Polish romanticism.
“It was a great pleasure to present this ‘Evening of Melodies’ under the EUNIC INDIA banner, in collaboration with our valued Polish and French partners,” said Michael Pal, Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum New Delhi. “This concert embodied our shared commitment to fostering cultural dialogue through the universal language of music. The programme reflected the deeply intertwined musical and personal narratives of Austria and Poland—brought to life through the works of Mozart, Chopin, Strauss, and others.”
Fittingly, this celebration of Chopin in Delhi comes just weeks before the classical world turns its eyes toward Warsaw, where the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition will take place in Warsaw, Poland, from October 2 to 23, 2025. One of the most prestigious platforms for young pianists, the competition reaffirms Poland’s deep commitment to preserving and promoting its musical heritage.
For those in attendance at Alliance Française de Delhi, the evening offered more than just musical performance—it served as a cultural prism through which the spirit of Europe shimmered with renewed vitality, right in the heart of India’s capital
