King Rodger, or Polish-Ukraine dream of Sicily

This story was conceived and noted in Ukraine more than 100 years ago, or more precisely Jelizavetgrade (now Kropyvnyckis). The 36-year-old, but already the famous composer Karol Szymanowski, lived. A little earlier, during the Bolshevik revolution, his family lost his native Tymošivka Manor and the neighboring Jelizavetgrad Szymanowski became a temporary refuge before the final move to Poland. The 21-year-old composer’s cousin Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz, who was just a budding poet, also allowed the 21-year-old composer’s cousin, who was also soon escaped from the war of war to Warsaw.

The roads of these two developers have been crossed many times. Iwaszkiewicz, who was born in the neighboring Mountain and was falling in Jelizavetgrade, was often visited by Tymošivka Manor, where an extremely artistic atmosphere. In his memories, he describes the constant talk of literature, together to create theater and opera play scenes, and above all, playing with the famous piano of Szymanowski, the same as the Bolshevik crowd drowned in the pond. Not only the composer, but also his sister Stanisława Szymanowska, who later became a famous opera singer, is mentioned in these memories.

Opera King Rodger. Photo by K. Mystkowski

Not surprisingly, from this friendship and common interests, the artistic project, ie, was created by Charles’ opera, which, albeit on the basis of the older cousin’s vision, was written by Jarosław. At its starting point, Szymanowski’s stories about his trips to Italy, more precisely to Sicily, left a great impression on not only the monuments of antique art but also medieval art, which testify to the intertwined various cultures. It was after seeing the Greek cultural monuments that he created miniatures for piano and violin « Myths », as well as the famous Metopes and Masks.

However, the composer also admired Eastern art, which he also found in Sicily, which he used to create a « king Rodger », such as the famous Roxana Arya, a famous motif. In addition, a few years ago he wrote « Hafis Love Songs » inspired by Arab and Persian poetry. He finished his work at « Suffering Songs. » All of this was perfectly matched with the imagination and feelings of Iwaszkiewicz, and the theme of the East and Mediterranean also prevailed in his work at the time. It is not known whether the aesthetic imagination of both creators to ancient times, distant lands and fantastic stories was the result of the difficult reality of war and revolution that Ukraine experienced at the end of the First World War, but it is certainly not possible to deny it. It is already the case that in gloomy and unsafe times we are trying to move into a completely different world – light, safe and friendly.

This is how the history of the opera, inspired by the real personalities – the King Rodzer II of Sicily, the medieval ruler, famous for its tolerance, who dreamed of creating an ideal kingdom that peacefully lives peacefully and forms the perfect mosaic of various customs, traditions and religions. For the composer and the author of the libretto, these ideas were close, as both grew up in Ukraine, ie at the junction of various cultures, languages ​​and traditions, Polish estates, which were nurtured in high culture and were open to Europe and the world. 1918 It was already clear that such Ukraine went into oblivion and new, barbaric times and threatening whirlwinds of history were approaching. This centuries of wars and disasters, but extremely fertile and colorful countries called « European Svirnu », have always grown not only great harvest but also prominent creators, including Polish culture. This should not be forgotten when listening to « King Rodger » and his international success, the work, although not properly appreciated, is attributed to the 20th century. the most significant operas in Europe.

Opera King Rodger. Photo by K. Mystkowski

This one can be interpreted in many ways, both musically and literary, but extremely original. Some of the King Rodger even consider the first Genderine opera in music history. The Slovak creators, who recently showed the premiere of Kosice’s National Theater, have gone this path, causing a considerable bustle of the forgotten poems with Szymanowski, who has a obvious homoerotic subtext, and presented the cause of the Rodger and Roxan’s marriage crisis. Slightly scandalous but very elegant and stylish in 2022. Anton Portician played played by Michał Partyka and a young Croatian soprano Gabriela Hrzejnak, who liked not only Kosice but also international festivals in Bratislava, Budapest and Prague. It was also fascinated by music, which had never heard of this piece. I liked the acting choirs, reminiscent of church hymns, the aforementioned Roxana Aria and the eccentric dances of the mysterious shepherd, which caused the confusion of the mysterious shepherd in the harmonious kingdom of Rodger. Many have a question of who the strange newcomer really is and why so many people are fascinated by him. This issue is extremely relevant in our time, when the idols and dubious authorities of various hair emerge from nowhere.

I wonder what the interpretation of the King Rodger will bring to Klaipeda the Baltic opera. A more traditional or sushi performance? Will it cause a scandal? Only one thing is known that famous soloists will sing in Lithuania. Of course, the star of the evening will be the world -famous Polish soprano Olga Pajicznik (Pachchyk), considered the best role in the role in the world. Rodger will be embodied by the perfect baritone, Leszek, and the most curiosity of Andrzej Lempert. A number of people remember how he, as a teenager, was the winner of the TV show « Szansa Na Sukces » many years ago, singing a song by Marylius Rodowicz. Now, after graduating from open singing studies, he returns to the stage as a mature artist and one of the most interesting Polish tenors, still with a youthful charm that is extremely suitable for the role of shepherd. The orchestra will be conducted by Yaroslav Shemet, a Ukrainian-born Ukrainian, the art director of the Katowitian Silesian Philharmonic and the Baltic Opera Director of the Catowitian Silesian, who has a great international conductor’s career in front of her eyes.

A significant art event included in the list of events dedicated to the Polish Presidency of the Council of the Council awaits us. Welcome!

Piotr Drobniak

Karol Szymanowski King Rodger, 3 action opera.

Librett author: Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz, along with the composer.

First building: 1926, Warsaw.

Gdansk Baltic Opera Premiere: 2022 October 1 Director: Romuald Wicza-Pokojski.

Playing at Klaipėda State Musical Theater: 2025 April 5 6:30 p.m.

The event is organized for two theaters in cooperation under the « Inspirational Culture » program, which aims to popularize the most interesting Polish cultural phenomena abroad. Funded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland under the Program « Inspirational Culture ».

Partners: Klaipėda State Musical Theater, Polish Institute in Vilnius.

The play is included in the list of events dedicated to the Polish Presidency of the Council. Tickets can be purchased at the cashier and site of Klaipeda State Musical Theater: www.klaipedosmuzuikinis.lt;