Soprano Magdalena Molendowska will sing the part of the eponymous heroine—the highlander girl Halka, who is abandoned by her nobleman lover.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Chmura, artistic director of the Poznań Opera, will appear on the conductor’s podium.
Described by critics as a tale of jealousy and sacrifice, Halka had its premiere in 1848 in Vilnius in its first, two-act version. In 1858, its four-act version had its first performance in Warsaw under Moniuszko’s own baton.
This year is being celebrated by the musical community as the year of Stanisław Moniuszko, the father of Polish national opera, who was born 200 years ago in present-day Belarus.
The composer’s vast output includes several other operas (The Haunted Manor, The Countess, The Raftsman), numerous songs, orchestral compositions and religious works.
The performance of Halka in Berlin comes as part of a wide range of events to mark the Moniuszko bicentenary.
The event coincides with International Music Day, which has been observed annually on October 1 since 1975 in response to an initiative by the famous violinist and conductor Yehudi Menuhin.
(mk/gs)