Moniuszko

Piotr Kalina sings Stefan’s aria from Act III of Straszny dwór (The Haunted Manor) by Stanisław Moniuszko. In the moonlight, Stefan is haunted by Hanna’s beautiful eyes, but then remembers his vow to remain single so that he may be ready to lay down his life for his country at any time. The clock strikes twelve, and the chimes play a polonaise that reminds him of his mother.

Poznań Opera Choir sing ‘A za nami wszędzie nędza, od wsi do wsi nas popędza’ (‘Village to village we wander, misery jostling us yonder’). Observing a mother fighting for the safety of her daughter, Jewa breaks down in tears. As Chicha asks the reason for these tears, Jewa tells the story about how she could not save her own children. It is now time for the young Chicha to learn about one of the darkest hour in the history of the Roma community...

Act I. As Janusz (Łukasz Goliński) and Zofia are celebrating their engagement, Halka (Monika Mych-Nowicka), a simple peasant girl, wails plaintively for her lost love. Coming to comfort the young woman, Janusz breaks out in a cold sweat. It turns out that he is Halka’s lost love, and that he once promised to marry her but then disappeared. Away from the guests, he cradles and kisses her, and arranges to meet her in the evening. Directed by Paweł Passini and conducted by Gabriel Chmura.

To celebrate Moniuszko's 201st birthday yesterday, here is a favourite aria from his opera Halka staged by Poznan Opera at a performance given at the Polish National Opera in Warsaw on 20 September 2019.

Act I. At an engagement party, guests raise their cups in honour of the happy couple: Janusz (Łukasz Goliński), a wealthy young landowner, and Zofia, the daughter of an even wealthier landowner. Halka, a simple peasant girl from one of the villages in Janusz's estate, is drawn to the party like a moth to a flame. Outside, she wails plaintively for her lost love, distracting the revellers. The kind-hearted Zofia asks Janusz to talk to the girl, hoping he will comfort her. Janusz breaks out in a cold sweat and, in this aria, sings of his trouble at seeing her again. It turns out that he is Halka’s lost love, and that he once promised to marry her but then disappeared.

South African soprano Nombulelo Yende won First Prize Female Voices at the 11th International Stanisław Moniuszko Vocal Competition, at Polish National Opera in Warsaw. In this extract, she sings ‘Ha! Dzieciątko nam umiera... O mój maleńki’ from Moniuszko's opera Halka.

Act III. In the countryside, peasants rest after a long week of hard work. Directed by Paweł Passini and conducted by Gabriel Chmura.

Act II. Neala (Monika Mych-Nowicka) has just learnt that Idamore, her fiancé, was born into the pariah caste. She knows that the marriage could lead to danger for them both, but she decides to stay with her beloved until death. Conducted by Gabriel Chmura and directed by Graham Vick.

Act II. Dżares (Mikołaj Zalasiński) has insisted on seeing Idamore (Dominik Sutowicz), who instantly recognises the old man as his long-lost father. Dżares urges his son to return to his homeland but Idamore's love for Neala, his fiancée, makes that impossible for him. Conducted by Gabriel Chmura and directed by Graham Vick.

The Polish countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński sings this song from Śpiewnik domowy (Songs for Home Use) by Stanisław Moniuszko. It tells the tale of a boy who needs to travel to Königsberg. He is in tears as he says goodbye to his girlfriend but she leaves him for someone else after only three days. Conducted by Tadeusz Kozłowski.