Krakow Opera

In October, Giuseppe Verdi’s classic Traviata, believed to be the most innovative of his works, returns to the boards of Juliusz Słowacki Theatre, the temporary seat of Krakow Opera House. The libretto was written by Francesco Piave on the basis of the controversial The Lady of the Camellias by Alexandre Dumas, the younger. Piave softened the moral overtone of the original, whereas Verdi gave the story a new title (“the fallen one” in Italian) under which it was staged in Venice. The performance was a scandal, the audience was not yet used to watching courtesans on opera stages. The author, however, didn’t give up, he moved the story to the court of Louis XIV, changed the title to Violetta and…achieved great success!



Die Fledermaus, written within a couple of weeks, tells the story of a wealthy banker Gabriel von Eisenstein and his wife Rosalinde, worshipped by her pushy ex-lover, the singer Alfred. There’s also a charming housemaid Adele and von Eisenstein’s closest friend – Dr Falke who is cooking his friend’s goose. The work seems like a typical repertoire comedy of errors with an emotional jumble in the background. It was, nevertheless, included in the opera repertoire in the 1880s by the great Gustav Mahler (composer and conductor). This seemingly light and simple piece, with a plot similar to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, oscillates between a drama and a comedy, irony and lyricism. What’s interesting is that the Polish libretto was written by the poet Julian Tuwim.

Another interesting performance - a melancholic story about a tragic love taking place in Saint Petersburg at the end of the 18th century. Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades, based on Alexander Pushkin’s short story, is, together with Eugene Oniegin, the most highly valued piece of the composer. The author himself described it as “a masterpiece”!

Let's not forget that the Opera is also a “child-friendly” place! Mr. Marimba, composed by Marta Ptaszyńska to the libretto of Agnieszka Osiecka, tells the story of a journey through Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Africa and China. It shows the folklore of the visited countries, especially by means of set design and costumes. There’s also an unusual music lesson “Mozart without Limits”. Fragments of opera, symphonic, chamber music and instrumental concert pieces will be played during the performance. Quotations from Mozart’s letters concerning creative and everyday struggles of the composer as well as his love problems will enable the participants to learn more about the artist as a human being. The story about Mozart is the first part of a cycle for children organised to introduce different forms of dramatic art to the younger audience. (bb)

“Die Fledermaus” J. Strauss, 5-6 October, 6.30pm; “The Queen of Spades” P. Tchaikovsky, 12-13 October, 6.30pm; Final of the I. Borowicka Music Competition, 20 October, 6.30pm; “Mr. Marimba” M. Ptaszyńska, 26, 27 September, 5pm and 24 October, noon, 25 October, 5pm (“Na antresoli” stage in the Opera on Lubicz 48); “La Traviata” G. Verdi, 26 October, 6.30pm, “Mozart unlimited” W.A. Mozart, 27 October, noon.

Krakow Opera
www.opera.krakow.pl, bilety@opera.krakow.pl; Lubicz 48; group bookings and information: phone 012-296-62-62; fax 012-296-62-64; Mon-Fri 8am – 4pm; bilety@opera.krakow.pl; e-tickets: www.ebilet.pl