Composed in 1966 for the millenium of Poland's baptism, the work is based on texts from the Gospel of St Luke, fragments of liturgy and Latin passion hymns. At the Forest Opera it blended with a parallel story which echoed dire contemporary issues, with the intent to create lasting images and arouse strong emotions.
Elżbieta Krajewska spoke to Janusz Marynowski of the Sinfonia Varsovia which was the orchestra for the Baltic Opera Festival, performing this juggernaut of an oratorio under the baton of Bassem Akiki; also director Barbara Wiśniewska and dramaturgist Marcin Cecko, who authored the staging.