TEHRAN – Polish musician Martyna Kosecka is scheduled to conduct Iran’s Nilper Orchestra during a concert, which will be performed at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall on Saturday to mark the centenary of Poland’s independence.
Speaking in fluent Persian during a press conference on Sunday in Tehran, Kosecka said, “I’m really happy that I’m the first foreign female guest conductor, who is to accompany the Nilper Orchestra in a concert, and I hope this would prepare the ground for other foreign women conductors to work in Iran.”
Kosecka, 29, said that she has seen performances by several Iranian orchestras, including the Tehran Symphony Orchestra and National Orchestra, and noted, “In my opinion, Nilper is Iran’s best orchestra.”
Polish Chargé d’affaires Wojciech Unolt, who also attended the press conference, said, “By this concert, we intend to share this year’s celebration for Poland’s independence with Iran.”
Pieces by Polish composer Frédéric François Chopin and Iranian musician Ahmad Pejman will be performed at the concert, said Navid Gohari, who has conducted Nilper since 2003 when the private orchestra was established.
“I have conducted the orchestra till now, but hereafter, we plan to collaborate with foreign conductors, the first of whom is from Poland,” he stated.