Songs by Moniuszko, Lysenko, Sibelius and Smetana

That Nation has not yet perished, while the seer’s song echoes… is a concert of songs interpreted by Opera Academy artists of Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera. Among all musical genres, song holds a special power. It is to song that one can entrust the deepest feelings, soothe sorrows and find solace. It has the power to melt the hardest hearts and uplift the spirit when all hopes have failed. Song can also unite, and when it reaches hearts yearning for freedom, it becomes a weapon unmatched. This last characteristic of song was eagerly exploited in the 19th century by composers culturally belonging to nations engaged in a long struggle to establish their own identity.

Where maps silenced the presence of geographical borders, word and music clearly confirmed the cultural distinctiveness of those who were denied it. It is no coincidence that the 19th century is seen in music history as a period of formation of national schools. And it is in song, a genre small in its dimensions but probably unparalleled in its impact, that this identity trait has left the most vivid imprint.

The concert programme includes songs by four composers: Stanisław Moniuszko, Mykola Lysenko, Jean Sibelius and Bedřich Smetana. Despite numerous differences in their biographies and artistic choices, song composition is certainly a significant link that allows us to hear in their works a tenderness for their native language and their own homeland.

Programme

JEAN SIBELIUS
Säv, säv, susa (Reeds, Reeds, Whisper)
Nazar Mykulyak baritone 
Olha Kozlan piano 

BEDŘICH SMETANA 
Žal vzdálené / První písně (The Sorrow of Parting/Firts Songs)
Marta Wiktorzak mezzo-soprano 
Mateusz Słowikowski piano 

STANISŁAW MONIUSZKO 
Kozak (Cossack)
Mariana Poltorak soprano 
Michalina Zasada piano 

MYKOLA LYSENKO  
Ohni horiat (The Fires Blaze) 
Adam Dobek baritone 
Piotr Zuchowski piano