Since the premiere of the Warsaw version of Halka in 1858, Stanisław Moniuszko's opera has enjoyed cult status. The story of a highlander's unhappy love for a young master remains one of the most important artifacts of Polish (pop) culture. The opera's extraordinary success stems from its skillful blend of spectacular spectacle with important social themes, primarily class exclusion. After all, the tragic ending of the love story is linked to misplaced love – Halka and Janusz are separated by a gulf of social class differences.

Halka

Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera

Krzysztof Penderecki has the ability to build fascinating worlds in his operas. His third work for the stage, The Black Mask, transports the audience into the future, to a Lower Silesian town of Bolkenhain (now: Bolków).

The Black Mask

Dead End is a singular work: an opera exploring current issues, written by two prominent Polish artists, Krzysztof Meyer and Antoni Libera.

Krzysztof Meyer is considered one of the most prominent present-day composers. He was a noteworthy student of Krzysztof Penderecki, then a pupil of Nadia Boulanger and Witold Lutosławski, and finally, a professor of composition of the Cologne University of Music, now retired. As an eminent expert on Shostakovich, he penned a monograph on the composer and composed the third act of The Gamblers. A composer of mainly large-scale symphonic pieces and chamber music, he also wrote a youthful opera after Stanisław Lem’s The Cyberiad. The composer has a number of prestigious awards to his name.

Dead End

In the 2021/2022 season, the stage of the Grand Theater - National Opera was taken over by Barbara Radziwiłłówna thanks to her concert performance of Henryk Jarecki's opera. This time, an equally legendary figure will appear - Beatrix Cenci. However, while Barbara is shown as innocence incarnate who becomes a victim of crime, Beatrix is ​​her opposite - a pure heroine forced to commit a wicked act.

Beatrix Cenci (concert Version)

Blind Track is a unique work - an opera on a contemporary, even current topic, written by two outstanding Polish artists: Krzysztof Meyer and Antoni Libera.

Krzysztof Szumański

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 28 - Dec 7, 2025

Halka · Polish National Opera

Past events

Nov 28 - Dec 7, 2025

Halka · Polish National Opera

22 - 29 Nov, 2024

The Black Mask · Polish National Opera

Future and recently performed repertoire

Stolnik in Halka by Moniuszko

Polish National Opera

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