The Hotchkiss Philharmonic Orchestra continues its 2025–26 season with a special concert featuring internationally acclaimed Polish mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kulig, conducted by Fabio Witkowski, on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 7:30 P.M. in Katherine M. Elfers Hall at The Hotchkiss School.

The program showcases the expressive depth and versatility of the mezzo-soprano voice with works by Handel, Gluck, Mahler, and Saint-Saëns, performed by Kulig alongside the orchestra. The evening also includes orchestral selections from John Williams’ beloved film scores to Harry Potter and Star Wars, creating a concert that bridges classical masterworks and cinematic favorites. The evening will end with Arturo Marquez’s exciting Danzon No. 2.

Magdalena Kulig, Mezzo-Soprano

Magdalena Kulig is an internationally recognized opera and concert singer known for her versatility across opera, oratorio, art song, and contemporary repertoire, including numerous world premieres of works by contemporary composers such as Katarzyna Brochocka, Maciej Zimka, Thomas Cornelius, and Norbert Palej. She has appeared in major concert halls throughout Europe, including the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the National Forum of Music in Wrocław, the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Concert Hall in Katowice, and leading philharmonic halls across Poland, as well as at festivals including Wratislavia Cantans, the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, and Oper im Berg Festival Salzburg.

Kulig holds degrees in vocal performance from the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław and in History from the University of Wrocław, an interdisciplinary background that informs her interpretive depth. A recipient of prestigious international scholarships, she received the Wrocław Music Award in 2012 for her album Elegies and is widely noted for musical depth, refined stylistic sensibility, and a distinctive vocal timbre.

Fabio Witkowski, Conductor

The concert will be conducted by Fabio Witkowski, artistic director and founder of The Hotchkiss Philharmonic Orchestra, holder of the Joanne Sohrweide Music Teaching Chair, and head of the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Hotchkiss. Witkowski has appeared with orchestras including the Hartford Symphony, Denver Philharmonic, Orchestra di Camera di Firenze, and the São Bernardo Philharmonic. An active pianist and chamber musician, he performs internationally and collaborates regularly with leading ensembles. He is also co-director of the Hotchkiss Summer Piano Portals and the Hotchkiss Summer Music Festival in Italy.

The Hotchkiss Philharmonic Orchestra

Founded in 2018 through the generosity of Barbara Walsh Hostetter ’77 and Amos Hostetter, the Hotchkiss Philharmonic Orchestra brings together professional musicians and talented Hotchkiss students, providing a unique opportunity for young artists to perform alongside world-class performers. Its concerts, always free and open to the public, enrich the cultural life of the Hotchkiss community.

Celebrating 20 Years of Katherine M. Elfers Hall

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Katherine M. Elfers Hall, the centerpiece of the Esther Eastman Music Center at Hotchkiss. Since its opening in 2005, the hall has welcomed students, faculty, visiting artists, and community members into a space designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and excellence in the performing arts. Over the past two decades, it has hosted concerts, recitals, lectures, and community events, becoming a vital hub for cultural life in the region. As we celebrate this milestone, we honor both the legacy of the hall’s first 20 years and its continuing role as a place where music and community thrive together.

Event Details

What: The Hotchkiss Philharmonic Orchestra Concert featuring Magdalena Kulig
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 7:30 P.M.
Where: Katherine M. Elfers Hall, Esther Eastman Music Center, The Hotchkiss School
Admission: Free and open to the public