26-27 Season Opening

2026 POLISH HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Piano Concerto in E-minor no.1, op. 11…………………Fryderyk Chopin
 Soloist: Ina Jun

Pacierz Staropolski (“Old Polish Lord’s Prayer”)…..Jakub Polaczyk
for Baritone and Orchestra (world premiere)

Variation on “Góralu, czy ci nie żal?”……………………Adrian Sylveen
 (text M. Bałucki)

Soloist: Laurentiu Rotaru, bass-baritone

Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
Adrian Sylveen, conductor

Ina Jun, a dynamic South Korean pianist now rooted in New York City, brings a vivid blend of artistry to the stage—equally at home as a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative partner. Her performances have illuminated series such as Puerto Piano & Strings, the Festival of New American Music, Music at Noon, and the Renaissance Society Concert Series. A winner of the Moshe Paranov Concerto Competition for her commanding interpretation of Rachmaninoff’s Second Concerto, she continues to shape her musical voice through wide‑ranging collaborations with ensembles including the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera and Sacramento Contemporary Dance Theatre. Her chamber music work has earned her top prizes in the Watson and Hartt Chamber Music Competitions, alongside numerous honors from organizations such as the Fresno Musical Club and Sekwang Piano Competition. Originally trained in South Korea before pursuing advanced studies in the United States, Ina holds degrees from the Hartt School and California State University, Sacramento, culminating in a Doctor of Musical Arts. She is currently refining her collaborative artistry at The Juilliard School under Jonathan Feldman, building on guidance from distinguished mentors who have shaped her distinctive musical sensibility.

Bass-baritone Laurentiu Rotaru is a native of Romania currently residing in Connecticut. He performed with The National Opera of Bucharest and as a soloist in numerous ensembles in Bucharest, touring Romania, Greece, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Canada and The United States. In October 2004 Mr. Rotaru made his Carnegie Hall debut, performing in a concert with Connecticut Virtuosi. Other venues where he performed include Opera Theater of Connecticut, Mississippi Opera, Valley Lyric Opera in Pennsylvania, St. Bonaventure Quick Center for The Arts in New York, Raleigh Opera of North Carolina, Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, Boston Festival Orchestra, Shreveport Opera of Louisiana, Cleveland Opera Circle, Opera Connecticut, etc.  His operatic repertoire encompasses roles such as Leporello in Don Giovanni, Don Basilio and Dr Bartolo in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Méphistophélès in Faust, Sparafucile in Rigoletto,  Dulcamara in L’elisir d’amore, Frère Laurent in Romeo et Juliette, Gremin in Eugene Onegin and Geronte in Manon Lescaut.  He started his intensive music training at The Conservatory of Bucharest – Romania and in the USA earned a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance from Central Connecticut State University, and a Master of Music degree from University of Connecticut. He won numerous competitions such as NATS and The Connecticut Guild Opera Competition, Metropolitan Opera Guild – New England Region, Gerda Lissner and Verismo Competition.