Moniuszko's Halka

[arpeggio]

I only know the opera from Tausig's transcription, but some of you may be interested in the following announcement, found on MusicWeb.

"Moniuszko's Halka

2014 POSK 50th Anniversary
October 4th 7.30pm (Saturday) and October 5th at 5pm (Sunday).

The Polish Social and Cultural Association POSK presents Halka, an opera in Four Acts, Music by Stanislaw Moniuszko. Libretto by Wlodzimierz Wolski.

A cast of internationally recognised soloists perform Moniuszko's masterpiece- Poland's first national opera "Halka" to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Polish Social and Cultural Association POSK in London.

Cast
Halka- Monika Swiostek, Jontek- Rafal Bartminski, Janusz- Marcin Janusz, Stolnik- Piotr Lempa/Marcin Gesla, Zosia- Violetta Gawara, Dziemba- Marcin Gesla/Piotr Lempa, Coro dell Angelo- Chorus, The Orchestra of POSK Polish Opera in London

Director- Richard Fawkes
Conductor- Stephen Ellery

Halka received its first performance in Vilnius in 1848.  9 years later for the Warsaw National Opera premiere of 1857 the  2 act opera was enlarged to 4 acts to include national dances Polonaise, Mazur and Tance Goralskie as well as specially composed arias reminiscent of Polish folk songs.

Poland did not exist as an independent country and therefore its very creation was a revolutionary act, as under Tsarist Russian rule any artistic activity was subject to censorship. The composer was determined to create this work against all odds and the music and texts are enthused with Polish national musical rhythms and melodies. Because of its very nature it is a miracle that it reached the stage of performance as the artists involved risked their livelihoods by doing so.

Not only is 2014 the 50th Anniversary of POSK but also the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Casino and the 25th Anniversary of free elections in Poland, so the staging of this opera provides a fitting tribute to the fighting spirit of Poland.

Ticket prices £20, 25, 30
admin@posk.org "