Chopin in Manchester (rear view)

Image: © Gerald England Taken: 12 Sep 2017

This monument to Fryderyk Chopin stands outside Centurion House on Deansgate. It marks the occasion when the Polish genius performed in Manchester in August 1848 at the Gentleman's Concert Hall, despite his failing health. Chopin died not long afterwards aged 39. The Polish Heritage Society http://www.polishheritage.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=144:dramatic-chopin-statue-unveiled-in-central-manchester&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=159 conceived the idea of a monument. Commissioned by The Chopin Memorial Monument Committee and The Polish Consulate, the sculptor is Robert Sobocinski http://www.robert.sobocinski.artproduct.com.pl/ a Polish artist from Poznan. The work depicts Chopin at the piano gazing across at his muse Baroness Aurore Lucile Dupon*. Carved into the work is an eagle in flight – the symbol of Poland for over 1,000 years – and a battle scene symbolising the Polish fight for freedom. The bronze monument measures 4 metres high and 2.5 metres wide and is set on a sandstone plinth. It is the largest statue of Chopin outside Poland and was unveiled in September 2011. * Baroness Aurore Lucile Dupon (more commonly spelt "Dupin") is generally better known as George Sand https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Sand For a critical appraisal of the statue see Manchester Confidential: http://old.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/Culture/Architecture/The-Good-The-Standard-The-Ugly-Chopin-Statue Image

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