
Moniuszko
Stanisław Moniuszko is generally regarded as the founder of Polish national opera and the most important composer of the 19th century after Chopin. Heralded as the ‘Polish Verdi’, he composed operas throughout his working life and these works for stage are the most important part of his output.
Moniuszko chose subjects that spoke directly to Polish audiences of the day. He was influenced by French vaudeville and German singspiel but his operas have a national character which comes from their specifically Polish subject matter and from the use of rhythms and musical phrases typical of Polish national and folk dances. OperaVision’s Polish partners – Polish National Opera and Opera Poznań – have done much to bring the works of Moniuszko to broader international audiences.
Jawnuta
Poznań Opera stage a rarely performed opera by Stanislaw Moniuszko, shown for the first time in a full musical arrangement prepared by its conductor Rafał Kłoczko. Ilaria Lanzino, an Italian director of the young generation, known for her unconventional and coherent productions, directs Jawnuta to designs by Dorota Karolczak. For Lanzino, this is a story about the Polish Roma and their complicated history, about the power of prejudice and how to avoid it. Be prepared to be moved by Moniuszko’s lyrical Roma songs and rousing melodies.