Having explored a near complete cycle of Moniuszko’s operas during a 10-year period (Halka, Straszny Dwor, Fliss, Verbum Nobile, Hrabina, Pariah, Jawnuta) the Polish Opera in London returns to the stage with electrifying dances and enchanting Slavic melodies for a new take on „Halka”- the pioneering masterpiece that made the very „Polish” and nationalist Moniuszko a household name in Poland.

The true setting of the drama took place in Poland, controlled by Tsarist Russia. The Polish language itself was banned, and Poland existed under oppressive Russians. Anyone who dared protest was likely sent to Siberia. This setting makes the creation of Moniuszko’s nationalist masterpiece even more astounding with its vibrant Polish national rhythms, and folkloric arias are sung in the Polish language.

An innocent mountain village girl is taken advantage of by an aristocrat who then marries a woman of his social rank, leaving the peasant girl pregnant and heartbroken.

Halka – Karina Trapezanidou Skrzeszewska

Zosia – Violetta Gawara

Jontek – Grzegorz Biernacki

Goral (Mountain man) – Dawid Bonk

Janusz – Leopold Stawarz

Stolnik – Marcin Gęsla

Dzemba – Jarosław Zawartko

POSK Chorus

Dancers from London-based members of the Federation of Polish Folklore Groups in the UK

Director – Jarosław Zawartko

Conductor – Stephen Ellery