Monday’s premiere is a revival, after eleven years, of the production by legendary director Otto Schenk, which had been first staged four decades ago.
In an interview with the PAP Polish Press Agency, Konieczny described the role of Mandryka as “extremely demanding, both vocally and in terms of acting”, adding that it occupies an important place in his career, having been one of his first international engagements following that of Alberich in The Ring of Nibelung at the Vienna Opera.
Konieczny praised American soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen, who sings the part of Arabella, for her “professionalism, sensitivity and a deep understanding of her role”. He said their partnership is “a great joy for him.”
There will be five more performances of Arabella after Monday’s premiere, on November 15, 18, 22, 25 and 29.
The November 22 performance is to transmitted across the globe in the Met: Live in HD series.
In the current Metropolitan Opera season Konieczny is to appear also as Kurwenal in Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde.
Born in 1972, Konieczny is a graduate of both the State Higher School of Drama and the Music Academy. After a short stint in the theatre and film, he focused on developing his vocal career, making his operatic debut as Figaro in Mozart’s opera in the western Polish city of Poznań in 1997.
He has since performed in some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the Bayreuth Festival, where the role of Wotan in Wagner’s Siegfried brought him rave reviews.
(mk/jh)