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Revision as of 23:32, 3 February 2011
King Roger (Król Roger in Polish) is an opera by the Polish composer Karol Szymanowski set to a libretto by Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz. It was first performed on June 19, 1926 in Warsaw, Poland. Among the original cast was the composer's sister, the soprano Stanisława Korwin-Szymanowska, as Roxana.
The opera originated from Szymanowski's enthusiasm for Mediterranean culture as a melting pot of different peoples and religions. He spent much time travelling in that area in 1911 and again in 1914 and shared his love of the region with his librettist (and cousin) Iwaszkiewicz. Szymanowski's lost novel Efebos dealt with mystical themes similar to those that inspired this work.
Musically, the influences of Scriabin, Richard Strauss and Ravel are apparent in the score. It is exquisitely colored by refined orchestration and evocative harmony, as well as seductive, often orientalist, melodies. While the music is considered to be of the highest quality, the opera itself is not often staged, primarily because its strengths are not so much dramatic as musical, but there have been several recordings that have made this work more accessible.
King Roger received its first performance in the Americas at Buenos Aires's Teatro Colón in 1981 under Stanisław Wisłocki [1]and its US premiere in California with Long Beach Opera in January 1988, conducted by Murray Sidlin, with a cast featuring James Johnson as King Roger, Nancy Shade as the queen, and Jonathan Mack as Edrisi.[2] It was later performed at the Bard SummerScape Festival on July 25, 2008.[3][4]
It was also staged during the Edinburgh International Festival on August 25 and 27, 2008, with Valery Gergiev conducting the Mariinsky Theater orchestra. The Opéra National de Paris produced the opera in June and July 2009. In November 2009 the opera was produced at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona and at Staatstheater Mainz, Germany in 2011.
There are at least five complete recordings, the most widely know under Sir Simon Rattle with Thomas Hampson and Philip Langridge.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere, June 19, 1926 (Conductor: Emil Młynarski) |
|---|---|---|
| Roger II, King of Sicily | baritone | Eugeniusz Mossakowski |
| Roxana, his wife | soprano | Stanisława Korwin-Szymanowska, the composer's sister |
| Edrisi, an Arab scholar | tenor | |
| Shepherd | tenor | Adam Dobosz |
| Archbishop | bass | |
| Deaconess | contralto | |
| Priests, monks, nuns, acolytes, courtiers, guards, eunuchs, Shepherd's disciples | ||
Synopsis
The story concerns the enlightenment of the twelfth-century Christian King Roger II of Sicily by a young shepherd who represents pagan ideals.
Act I
Often known as the "Byzantine" Act
The Shepherd is introduced to King Roger and his court during mass at the Palermo cathedral. Despite calls for his punishment as a heretic by the Archbishop, Roxana, Roger's wife, convinces the King not to kill him. Roger orders the young man to appear at the palace that night, where he will explain himself and submit to the King's judgement.
Act II
The "Oriental" Act, representing India and the Middle East
As instructed, the Shepherd appears at the palace gates. Roxana sings a seductive song which is clearly a response to the visitor, causing Roger to grow increasingly agitated. As the Shepherd is led in, he describes his faith in detail and soon almost the entire court joins him in an ecstatic dance. Roger attempts to chain him, but the Shepherd easily breaks free, and leaves the palace with almost all of those assembled following him. At first the King and his Arab advisor, Edrisi are left alone, but soon it is decided that Roger will join the Shepherd.
Act III
The "Greco-Roman" Act
In an ancient Greek theater, King Roger and Edrisi rejoin Roxana, who informs her husband that only the Shepherd can free him of his fear and jealousy. A fire is lit, and the Shepherd's followers commence another dance, while the Shepherd is transformed into Dionysus. As the dance ends and the participants leave the stage, Roger is left transformed by the experience, and sings a joyous hymn at the arrival of the morning sun.
References and notes
- On King Roger in Kobbe's Complete Opera Book, pp. 1594–98, ed. 1976
- King Roger - Time Out New York, July 22-30, 2008
- An innovative, multinational staging of "King Roger": Intl Herald Tribune, July 22, 08