Opera about legendary Polish pianist to premiere in Washington

An opera about legendary Polish pianist, composer and statesman Ignacy Jan Paderewski will premiere at the Kennedy Center in Washington on Wednesday.

Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Lawrence Alma-Tadema, 1890. Photo: [Public domain]

via Wikimedia Commons

The work, entitled 3 Paderewskis, presents “three versions of the great Paderewski … Ignacy the virtuoso pianist and composer, Jan the politician and statesman, and Paderewski the éminence grise and Paso Robles winemaker,” according to the Kennedy Center’s website.

“Coming together and pulling apart, they summon the ghost of Antonina, Paderewski's beloved, long-dead first wife. In so doing, they release the spirit of a better Poland.”

3 Paderewskis is an hour-long opera in one act composed by Jenni Brandon. She won this year’s prestigious American Prize for composing the opera.

The show, with a libretto by Oliver Mayer, is directed by David Bridel. It has been produced by the Kosciuszko Foundation and the Warsaw-based Adam Mickiewicz Institute, in collaboration with the Polish embassy in the United States, as part of events to mark the 101st anniversary of Polish independence and the centenary of Polish-American diplomatic relations.

3 Paderewskis was among the winners of the Paderewski Musical competition launched by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute in 2017.

Ignacy Jan Paderewski, pictured around 1900. Photo: W. Kleckner [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

(mk/gs)