Details

Szymanowski's opera has elements of the classical Greek legend of ?cult' god Dionysus, reflected through Nietzschean philosophy. Set in 12th century Sicily, it explores the cultural crossroads of the time - Byzantine, Arabic, Greek and European. A mysterious Shepherd is accused of trying to topple the Catholic Church and its authority yet King Roger and his wife Roxana grant him an audience and offer their friendship. Swept up in his heady teachings the entire court joins him as acolytes. Only King Roger holds back from complete devotion to the charismatic herdsman. In the last act the Shepherd reveals himself as Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility and hedonism. King Roger alone resists temptation and conquers his own hedonistic impulses, reason triumphing over emotion. As Roger sings a hymn of praise to Apollo and the sun, the rationality of classicism becomes balanced at last with the ecstatic abandon of Dionysus's followers. A deeply philosophical work, the music has a sweeping romanticism and lyricism that encompass a first act immersed in religious atmosphere, through a second act built around oriental and exotic dance and culminating in the idealism and passion of the third act. New Production. Sung in Polish with English surtitles.

Cast/Performers

Mariusz Kwiecien (Krol Roger II), Saimir Pirgu (Shepherd), Georgia Jarman (Roxana), Kim Begley (Edrisi), Alan Ewing (Archbishop), Agnes Zwierko (Deaconess)

Creatives/Company

Music: Karol Szymanowski
Producer: Royal Opera House
Conductor: Antonio Pappano
Director: Kasper Holten
Design(s): Steffen Aarfing, Luke Halls (video)
Lighting: Jon Clark
Choreographer: Cathy Marston
Dramaturg: John Lloyd Davies
Company(s): Royal Opera Chorus, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House