KRÓL ROGER
An opera in 3 acts, sung in Polish
Tour of the (Poland)
Libretto by Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz, Karol Szymanowski
First production: 19 June 1926 at the Teatr Wielki in Warsaw
Premiere at the : 1 October 2022
The creation of King Roger was the result of the collaboration between the composer and his distant cousin Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz. The idea of writing an opera was born in Elizavetgrad (now Kropyvnytskyi in Ukraine) and Odessa at the end of World War I, right after the October Revolution. Why, today, a century after those events, is it important to stage King Roger? Just as then, so today, war continues to reap its toll in the name of ideologies and convictions, and precisely in this place, in Ukraine.
The opera directly addresses the futility of everything that is earthly. At the same time, it places the “pure heart” of a human being at the centre of attention. We are keeping watch over a dying king. In a delirium, the Good Shepherd appears to him. The real world and illusions intertwine. The Shepherd helps Roger recognize the essence of human nature.
King Roger is now one of the most frequently performed Polish operatic works abroad. In the production by the Baltic Opera, special attention should be given to the names of the young creators—Yaroslav Shemet, a conductor of the younger generation, incredibly talented and highly regarded in the music industry, and Magdalena Brozda, whose collaboration with the Baltic Opera marked her theatrical debut. The young Polish designer lives and works in Geneva (where she also completed her studies at the University of Art and Design) and is a laureate of the prestigious international H&M Design Award 2015.
Tour of the
ACT I
Temple. Priests, together with the people, hold a vigil for the dying King Roger. They pray in defence of the faith and the established order. The good Shepherd comes to the king who is in a malaise. The people accuse him of spreading sin and believing in another, unknown god, and demand his imprisonment. The King’s wife Roxana stands up for the Shepherd, asking Roger to listen to the newcomer before passing judgement.
The Shepherd talks about his god and his enthusiasm captivates more and more people. Roxana succumbs to the charm of the newcomer. Despite numerous protests from the priests, Roger allows the Shepherd to leave and orders him to attend court in the evening.
ACT II
Palace. Everyone is waiting for the Shepherd to come. The Shepherd eventually appears with a retinue of those who have succumbed to his charms. He tells of his journey and the power that is allegedly bestowed upon him by his god. The king is outraged by his words, but is then reassured by Roxana.
The Shepherd makes the gathered crowd start a hypnotic dance. Roxana also joins this trance. Roger orders the Shepherd to be captured, but the Shepherd breaks his bonds and leaves, taking with him the crowd and Roxana. Roger and Edrisi are left alone. After a while, the king decides to follow the Shepherd.
ACT III
Edrisi and Roxana stand over Roger’s grave. The King’s ghost hears Roxana’s voice, although it is difficult for him to determine whether this is happening for real or in another world. The Shepherd appears as a god and makes others follow him. Everything disappears. Roger remains alone and walks towards the sun.
