Photographer credits for four photos immediately above: Juan A. Espino, Andre Surma, Tom W. Bertolotti, Lucyna Przasnyski
JAMES STRECKER: Please tell us what you want the public to know about your recent completed projects and/or the ones you are actively working on. What is it for each one, why is it, and how was/is it done?
KATARZYNA SADEJ: Well probably the most interesting project currently in process, and certainly one of the most exciting in my career, has been my participation in the documentary feature film “Our Lady of the Kitchen”. This is the story of how a painting that was stolen from Poland by the Nazis during the second world war ended up hanging in the kitchen of Craig Gilmore and David Crocker; and, how this same painting was repatriated back to Poland by this loving and generous couple. I perform in this documentary, costumed-up as the original woman from the painting by Geldorp. Among the numbers I perform musically, accompanied by the incredible concert pianist Daniel Vnukovski, who also gifts us with some incredible solo piano in the film, are solo songs and duets with tenor Craig Gilmore (one of the heroes of our film). The big number is a Chopin song, with the poetry changed by me to reflect on current affairs. The documentary has a powerful message for human rights, LGBTQ rights, dignity and equality. Having the opportunity to participate, perform, and voice my own concerns for certain sentiments, intolerance and hatred prominent in the world today, has been a very poignant moment for me. You may wonder how a stolen painting and human rights come together in this film, so you may want to follow my frequent posts about this whole process and please do anticipate the release of this film in a few months’ time.
To find out more about the background story for “Our Lady of the Kitchen,” here is an article released by our very own CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-may-21-2019-1.5142647/poland-s-lgbt-community-gets-unexpected-allies-because-of-a-painting-looted-by-nazis-1.5142713
JS: What kind of audience will this project interest? What new audience are you also seeking? Why to both questions?
KS: For any projects I do, including traditional classical music and opera performances, I always seek to interest people that are generally not in that world. I think it’s very important to always think outside the box and try to encourage people to give higher art a chance. “Our Lady of the Kitchen” is certainly a vehicle for that because it will reach many different people and hopefully many countries. What I say is not meant to look down on other genres of music (I have been known to jam pop tunes myself), but to emphasize that bridging the gigantic gap that now exists between classical music and popular music really should be narrowed. Why, for example, can we not see a real trained opera singer, with vocals of highest caliber, perform during the Academy Award ceremony? Because, right now, the vast majority of the public does not respect or understand operatic singing.
JS: In what ways was/is this project easy to do and in what ways was/is it difficult to realize? How long did it take and why that long?
KS: I have been involved with the documentary for about a year. The translations I did and the poetry I wrote, and the singing practice – all of that took a lot of time. But I tend to prepare things carefully and with my full heart in it. The actual filming has been over 2 years now for the director and producers. Some people are often afraid and feel that it’s too difficult to delve into such projects, which deal with human rights issues and politics. I personally felt compelled to participate from the very start and feel that certain human rights in the 21st century simply must be addressed.
JS: How are you planning to promote, market, and sell this project to the public?
KS: I do frequent posts about it on my social media to boost interest from my followers.
JS: Please give us a brief autobiography, some stuff about yourself, that is relevant to this project.
KS: This project is so special to me because I have really devoted a lot of my career to propagating Polish music (and not for the purpose of making money, believe me!). To be able to present something like this, where I can embody my work in the Polish music field, include my own poetry, and stand up for dignity and human rights all at once, is so unbelievably humbling. I am so grateful to have such a project emerge as a highlight reflecting years of work and learning. It’s also a huge pleasure to be involved with such a talented and amazing team that is creating this entire film.
My family also has an interesting history, having escaped communist Poland in 1988. I was always drawn to Polish music when I was studying music at University and it came easily to me to sing Polish classical songs. I felt like I was in my element. In December 2019 I also released a two-volume album of rarely-known Lutoslawski songs with pianist Basia Bochenek, which can be heard on all music streaming platforms if you search for my name on them. That project took 2 years, to get all the recording done, just so that we could show the world these fabulous 33 songs that barely anyone has heard of.
JS: What’s next in your creative life?]
KS: Much of it, as you might imagine, is on hold because of COVID. I am anticipating a recital tour of Atlantic Canada with concert pianist Daniel Vnukovski, performances as Carmen, a debut in China, a debut with Los Angeles’ Jacaranda series, and others. But other than live performance, which is on hold until further notice, I do have a few interesting side projects.
One is that I will be involved in helping promote another fabulous endeavour, this time by Polish sky-jumper Tomasz Kozlowski. He will be beating a world record in 2021, by doing the highest ever-recorded sky jump, from 45 KM above the earth. He graciously approached me a few months ago to see if I would be interested in participating in this project’s promotion. Of course, I agreed, so much so that I will jump out of an airplane with him in the coming months! I am hoping that, despite my huge fear of heights (which I’m willing to face), this can get some of my followers to support this ambitious project, which is aimed at raising funds for victims of climate change related environmental emergencies. I am also dedicating another project I have been working on – a series of me singing in various locations in the wilderness – to help promote Tomasz Kozlowski’s campaign. Please read more about this ambitious endeavor here: www.jumpfortheplanet.com
Aside from those projects, I am also working on creating online performance content which can hopefully bring some entertainment and positivity to people at this time. I am working with the “Our Lady of the Kitchen” documentary project constantly; and, also, I’m collaborating with other musicians online, which has been a huge pleasure.
Here is a Playlist I created on YouTube with my self-isolation shares. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel (believe me, it’s a great support for me to simply subscribe).
Self-isolation shares: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHKUoKpKxYzYI9-F9c1acfcHWhXdX4isH
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/katarzynasadej
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