A great love that must defy prejudice. A secret kept hidden for years and a surprising denouement. The formidable force of memories unveils the mysteries of the past. Stach comes from a wealthy family, Chicha is a Gypsy. Social conventions, intolerance, and stubbornness stand in the way of their happiness. Will Stach and Chicha end up together? Will the family secrets come out? Is a happy ending always happy?
Poznań Opera stages 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.
Music Stanisław Moniuszko
Text Władysław Ludwik Anczyc
Conductor Rafał Kłoczko
Director Ilaria Lanzino

ALSO WATCH PANEL: Opera and Othering

The panel explores othering in relation to the opera, thinking about how opera both others and is othered, and what strategies may counter it. The focus – and the pretext for the discussion – is the Poznań Opera’s Jawnuta – based on a very little-known work by Stanisław Moniuszko – which is a story about the Polish Roma. The panelists also reflect on the work by OperaVision, an open-access opera streaming platform.

Hosted by Kasia Lech, Executive Director of TheTheatreTimes.com, Associate Professor Global Performance History, University of Amsterdam

Panelists:

Luke O’Shaughnessy, Manager of OperaVision, Belgium

Renata Borowska-Juszczyńska, General Director of the Poznań Opera, Poland

This post was written by the author in their personal capacity.The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of The Theatre Times, their staff or collaborators.

This post was written by Music by Stanisław Moniuszko, Text by Władysław Ludwik Anczyc, Poznań Opera (2022), Poland.

The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.