“The Polish National Opera is considered one of the best in the world,” said Waldemar Dąbrowski, director of Teatr Wielki (Polish National Opera) and former minister of culture. “We are proud of our collaborations with leading international opera houses and of our passion to present classical performances and contemporary pieces.”
The Polish National Opera at Teatr Wielki, Warsaw, has been producing works by renowned Polish composers, including Fryderyk Chopin, for over 200 years now.
“Just as Japanese culture has inspired the European arts, many Japanese tourists come to our performances to discover and experience the European and wider international repertoire,” explained Dąbrowski.
Twice a decade, the theater hosts the prestigious International Chopin Piano Competition, where many outstanding pianists from Japan have won awards. The Opera’s ballet company currently has five Japanese dancers, including the principal dancer Yuka Ebihara.
Based on the works of the 15th century Noh play-master Zeami, “Matsukaze” is an opera by Japanese composer Toshio Hosokawa that proved to be one of the theater’s most successful productions last year.
Teatr Wielki is proud to be involved in the celebrations marking Poland’s 100 years of independence. Productions include “Notre Chopin,” a two-part ballet program, and “Manru,” an opera written by the renowned Polish pianist and a great champion of Polish independence, Ignacy Jan Paderewski.
This December, the Polish National Opera will put on “King Roger” by Karol Szymanowski. Conducted by Kazushi Ono, the co-production will also travel to Tokyo, Japan.
“Next year, we will celebrate the bicentennial of Stanisław Moniuszko, the father of Polish opera who, like Chopin, is one of the most important Polish romantic artists,” said Dąbrowski.
“We invite the world to experience our productions and enjoy Poland’s rich, national heritage and culture, and to share in our country’s appreciation for the arts.”
