Halka

With the collaboration of the Instytut Adama Mickiewicza, on 9 and 11 November, the Teatro Real is premiering two concert performances by the Polish national opera, directed by Łukasz Borowicz and led by the tenor Piotr Beczała.

It is a four-act opera written by Stanisław Moniuszko, considered one of the most important composers in Poland, which premièred on 1 January 1858 at the Teatr Wielki in Warsaw (Poland).

It is listed as one of the masterpieces of the Polish operatic repertoire, since its incorporates many elements of folklore, traditional dances, folk songs and melodies inspired by Polish rural music. The libretto was written by Włodzimierz Wolski and was based on a short story by Kasimierz Wojcicki: Góralka (the girl from the prairies).

The plot is set in the Beskides Mountains of Poland and explores the love story of Halka, a young peasant woman, and Janusz, a nobleman who seduces and then abandons her. The piece addresses issues such as class differences, social injustice and conflicts between the underclasses and the aristocracy.

Artistic credits:

• Orchestra director -  Łukasz Borowicz
• Choir director - José Luis Basso
• Choir and Orchestra - Teatro Real Choir and Orchestra

Cast:

• Stolnik - Maxim Kuzmin-Karavaev
• Dziemba - Tomasz Kumiega
• Janusz - Tomasz Konieczny
• Zofia - Olga Syniakova
• Halka - Corinne Winters
• Jontek - Piotr Beczała
• Bagpipe player - Javier Povedano

Programme:

• Opera in four acts
• Music by Stanisław Moniuszko (1819-1872)
• Libretto by Włodzimierz Wolski, based on a short story by Kasimierz Wojcicki
• First performed at the Teatr Wielki in Warsaw on  1 January 1858
• Teatro Real - Opera House première
• Concert opera