Karol Szymanowski (1882–1937) went down in the history of Polish music as one of the most significant composers after Chopin; and Szymanowski’s works are among the musical highlights of the 20th century. The composer wrote the opera
King Roger (1918–1924) under the impression of his journey to Sicily, which he visited just before World War I began. For the composer the island became the embodiment of Mediterranean culture with its intertwinement of European, Byzantine and Arabic influences. The piece also explores what Nietzsche called the Dionysian pole of human experience, which Szymanowski was so enthusiastic about at the time. The plot is based on the confrontation between 12th-century King Roger II of Sicily (1095–1154) and the mysterious Shepherd prophesying the Dionysus cult. The libretto was written by Szymanowski’s cousin, famous poet Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz. At the first performance of the opera at the Warsaw Grand Theatre in 1926 the part of King Roger’s wife Roxana was sung by the composer’s sister, Stanisława Korwin-Szymanowska.
King Roger is Szymanowski’s largest and richest score – exquisite, grand, passionate and evocative of an archetypical dimension, which places it among such works as Schoenberg’s Moses and Aron and Berg’s Lulu.
Jan Latham-Koenig:
The Cappella Bizantina was built by King Roger. It is this meeting place of Eastern and Western cultures, which so fascinated Szymanowski, who visited Sicily several times. And when you go to Sicily you understand how the composer felt and absorbed the atmosphere. Having said that, his music is undeniably Slavic. In fact when you hear the first chorus the one thing it absolutely reminds you of is Russian Orthodox Music.
Profession: Conductor
Conducting is being both a trainer of a football team, but also during the match incredibly transforms yourself into the captain. But of course the team not be 11 people, but 100 people.
Conducting is driving a car very fast without headlights on a dark foggy night.