Teatr Wielki in Poznań begins its new artistic season on 1 October with a month centred around Polish opera, dance and musical heritage. The fourth edition of the Moniuszko Festival takes over the programme, bringing together major productions, vocal performances, family events and a special tribute to one of Poznań's most influential figures in dance, Conrad Drzewiecki.
The festival opens with Hrabina (Countess), Stanisław Moniuszko's opera directed by Karolina Sofulak. Performances run from 1 to 4 October, with the production exploring connections between past and present and the changing role of women within society.
It sets the tone for a month in which familiar works sit alongside less frequently performed music, while several events look beyond the traditional opera audience.
Moniuszko Festival opens the season
The first days of October belong to Hrabina, before the festival continues with a varied programme throughout the month.
On 9 and 10 October, younger audiences can experience najnajDRZEWIECKI, an event inspired by the work of Conrad Drzewiecki. Designed for the youngest music and theatre-goers, it explores sound, movement and storytelling through gesture, offering an introduction to the world of performance from a child's perspective.
The following day, 11 October, turns towards vocal chamber music. Baritone Bartłomiej Misiuda and pianist Michał Rot will perform a selection of arias and songs in the first-floor foyer of Teatr Wielki. The intimate setting provides a contrast to the larger-scale productions on the main stage.
October also marks an important anniversary for Poznań's dance community.
A centenary tribute to Conrad Drzewiecki
14 October marks 100 years since the birth of Conrad Drzewiecki, the celebrated dancer, choreographer and teacher who founded Polski Teatr Tańca - Balet Poznański (Polish Dance Theatre - Poznań Ballet) and maintained a long association with Teatr Wielki in Poznań.
To mark the centenary, dancers from the theatre's ballet company will perform some of Drzewiecki's best-known choreographies. The programme includes Krzesany by Wojciech Kilar and Adagio by Tomaso Albinoni.
The premiere takes place on 14 October, followed by performances on 15 and 16 October.
For Poznań, the occasion offers a chance to revisit the work of a figure whose influence extends well beyond a single company or generation. Drzewiecki played a significant role in shaping the city's identity as a centre for contemporary dance in Poland, making the anniversary particularly relevant to local audiences.
From family workshops to a musical fairy tale
There are several opportunities to experience the theatre without committing to a full-length opera.
The family workshop Robimy operę! (Let's make opera!) takes place on 18 October, inviting families behind the scenes of opera-making and encouraging participants to explore how a production comes together.
On 24 October and again on 29-30 October, Straszna gospoda (A dreadful tavern) returns as part of the theatre's Historie na dęte (Stories for brass instruments) series. The production combines a story inspired by Isaac Bashevis Singer with music by Andrei Yakushau.
Set against the atmosphere of pre-war Poland, the story draws on the country's diverse cultures and the distinctive character of its local communities. The programme is aimed at children, young people and adults, making it one of the month's more accessible choices for families.
Król Roger brings a major cast to the stage
The second major opera production of the festival arrives from 22 to 25 October with Karol Szymanowski's Król Roger (King Roger).
Directed by Krzysztof Cicheński, the production approaches the opera as a contemporary exploration of the human search for divinity and identity. The staging places this mystical story within what the theatre describes as a modern "cabinet of the soul".
The title role will be shared by internationally renowned baritone Andrzej Dobber and Łukasz Klimczak, who is well known to Poznań audiences.
The performances will be conducted by British conductor Paul Daniel, whose career includes work with leading orchestras and opera companies around the world.
The cast also includes Joanna Freszel and Julia Pruszak-Kowalewska as Roksana, Arnold Rutkowski and Pavlo Tolstoy as the Shepherd, and Tomasz Rak and Piotr Kalina as Edrisi.
A gala brings the festival to a close
The fourth Moniuszko Festival concludes on 28 October with a gala featuring stars of Teatr Wielki in Poznań alongside invited guests.
Rather than focusing solely on the best-known works in the Polish operatic repertoire, the evening will draw attention to music that is rarely heard on opera stages. The programme will include excerpts from works by Polish composers of the 19th and 20th centuries, offering an opportunity to hear a broader range of the country's musical heritage.
For regular visitors to Teatr Wielki, it also provides a chance to see a number of the theatre's performers together in a single evening.
October therefore offers a particularly broad introduction to the season ahead, from Moniuszko and Szymanowski to contemporary interpretations of Polish dance history, chamber music and productions designed for younger audiences.
With the theatre's distinctive Pegasus-topped building once again filling with audiences, the new season gets underway with a programme that connects some of Poznań's established artistic traditions with new approaches to opera, ballet and performance.
October at Teatr Wielki in Poznań at a glance
1-4 October: Hrabina (Opera)
9-10 October: najnajDRZEWIECKI
11 October: Vocal chamber music with Bartłomiej Misiuda and Michał Rot
14 October: Premiere of the Conrad Drzewiecki centenary ballet programme
15-16 October: Further performances of the Drzewiecki programme
18 October: Family workshop Robimy operę!
22-25 October: Król Roger (Opera)
24 October: Straszna gospoda (Theatre play)
28 October: Moniuszko Festival gala
29-30 October: Further performances of Straszna gospoda
Venue: Teatr Wielki im. Stanisława Moniuszki w Poznaniu, Fredry 9, Poznań.
Ticketing and detailed performance information should be checked with Teatr Wielki in Poznań, as the theatre's full October programme contains individual event details.
See more: 50 Violinists, One Competition and Two Weeks in Poznań
Source: Teatr Wielki im. Stanisława Moniuszki w Poznaniu
Image credit: Bartek Barczyk
