Lutnia. Towarzystwo Śpiewacze

Towarzystwo Śpiewacze Lutnia in Zgierz is a mixed choir operating continuously since 1907, and therefore one of the oldest choral ensembles in the Łódź Voivodeship. The ensemble comprises 54 members of various ages and continues to uphold the tradition of collective singing that it initiated over 100 years ago.

History and jubilees

Lutnia celebrated its centenary with ceremony in October 2007. Uninterrupted activity for over a century makes the association one of the most established choral ensembles in the Łódź region. The ensemble is entered in the National Court Register (no. 0000012142), and its work is led by chairman Andrzej Siuda.

Repertoire and artistic activity

Lutnia performs Polish and foreign sacred and secular songs, patriotic works, songs for social gatherings and folk songs, as well as excerpts from operas, operettas and musicals. The ensemble has had opportunities for international artistic contact—it has performed abroad in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Lithuania. In Poland, it co-organises cultural events such as the Lato z Muzyką festival in Grotniki (2014) and concerts of choirs from the Łódź region (2019).

Awards and recognition

For its contribution to the musical movement and culture, Lutnia has received numerous awards and honours. In 1966 it was awarded the Medal for services to the social musical movement. In 1977 it received the Honour Badge First Class, and in 1982 the Golden Badge with laurel for social, organisational and artistic activity in the amateur musical movement. In 2002 the city of Zgierz granted it the title of Merited for the City of Zgierz.

Ensemble and schedule

Since 2010 the ensemble's conductor has been Patryk Kobylarczyk, and since 1994 Cecylia Hanzelewicz has served as accompanist. Rehearsals take place regularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 18:30 to 20:30 at the seat on ul. Łęczyckiej 2 in Zgierz. The choir is not a conventionally visited tourist attraction with standard opening hours—it is an active artistic association.

Practical information

• Address of seat: ul. Łęczycka 2, Zgierz (postal code 95-100)
• City: Zgierz, district town bordering Łódź in Łódź Voivodeship
• Contact: tel. 42 716 23 96, chairman Andrzej Siuda
• Rehearsal schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays 18:30–20:30
• Getting there: Zgierz is connected to Łódź by tram line 45 and by bus and rail services (Zgierz station on the Łódź–Kutno line)
• Access: to the seat possible by telephone arrangement regarding auditions or visits—it is a workshop of an active association, not a museum or gallery
• What to expect: an active choral ensemble, open rehearsals for the interested, occasionally public concerts