TERRIBLE MANOR - 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Opera in four acts. Performance in Polish with subtitles in Polish.

STRASZNY DWÓR is not only the most perfect musical work by Moniuszko, but also at the forefront of all Polish opera work of the 19th century. Great construction of ensemble scenes, subtle and at the same time colorful instrumentalization, extraordinary melodic inventiveness and captivating atmosphere of Polishness are the indisputable qualities of this piece.

Moniuszko completed his fifth opera shortly after the collapse of the January uprising, so it is hardly surprising that it soon became known as a great patriotic manifestation. Right after the premiere, STRASZNY DWÓR hit the wall of censorship. The Russian authorities, fearing riots, removed it from the poster after three performances. This is proof of how the fate of the opera can be influenced by external circumstances — because although in the drawing of the characters one can see the influence of the masterpieces of Fredra and Mickiewicz, the whole is nothing more than a joyful, at times mocking, affirming the Polishness outside the walls, kept in the spirit of Belcant. Elements of folklore, numerous patriotic themes and the atmosphere of the noble court make this work today recognized as a Polish national opera.