Terrible Manor

The terrible manor of Stanisław Moniuszko - opera Wedding, selfie of us - Poles. In Moniuszko's intention, the work, which was to maintain the spirit, cultivate a threatened national identity, sing “we are not dead yet” with a loud forte. Like Mickiewicz in Pan Tadeusz, the composer creates an operatic digressive poem, in which the action - breaking bachelor vows - is only a pretext to construct comforting images from the idealized past. And all this is somewhat in the spirit of Freddy's comedy.

On the day of the premiere, when the Russians after the January Uprising tried to destroy our nation and make us citizens of a subordinate category, the glorification of former Poland was an act of extraordinary courage on the part of the authors and the Theater. Despite the interference of censorship, the Terrible Manor aroused enthusiasm. The terrified censor banned the play after three performances - this panicked reaction testified to how important it was, that like lava under the shell of comedy hid the embers.

So I am tempted to go with the spirit of the work - under the guise of a colorful picture to show what hurts. And what hurts me? Contempt. The feeling of superiority of those to whom we ourselves and sometimes simply fate gave something more, and which does not necessarily serve us all - positions, wealth, power. Contempt for what I value myself - science, culture, diligence. The contempt of those who, with their mouths full of clichés, manipulate others by exploiting their dominant role, reducing the leadership role to building their ego and fortune. Disgusting! Probably many will gladly read it through the prism of Polish-Polish politics and war. And rightly so. Although I am aware that contempt is an affront to the general public, not just Poland.

But the world is not so bad, let them just play masura - dances from your manors and country inns - and that is why I begin and end my staging with idealistic images of a peaceful community. In the finale, I allow myself to invoke our genius - Adam Mickiewicz, who, as few people have guessed us Poles, and in the final masuria invoke his appeal from the conclusion of Mr. Tadeusz - “let's love each other!”