In the mythical space of the forest, where a deeply hidden truth about nature and humanity awakens, the action of A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare unfolds — the comedy that became the basis for the semi-opera The Fairy Queen by Henry Purcell. Musical masques, serving as a counterpoint to the spoken scenes, astonish with brilliance and variety, shimmering with the opulence of baroque compositional technique. Inventive instrumental passages as well as refined recitatives and arias shape an extraordinary world teeming with a phantasmagoria of feelings and emotions. This impressive sonic realm provides the framework and starting point for an in-depth interpretation of Purcell’s work directed by Kamila Siwińska, with dramaturgy prepared by Małgorzata Sikorska-Miszczuk. From the charming landscape emerge destructive forces of emotional enslavement and psychological violence, which some mistake for love. Thanks to Oberon, possessing knowledge that allows manipulation of human consciousness, the titular Fairy Queen (Titania) and the young lovers — Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius, Helena — succumb to sudden and untamed power of desire and ecstasy. On the theatrical stage, the ancient blends with the baroque and the contemporary, elevating a quasi-fairy-tale story to the level of universal reflection on the mechanisms of toxic interpersonal relationships. The worlds of primordial myth, Shakespearean drama and the nonverbal force of musical expression co-create a nuanced and suggestive space for contemplation about madness, falsehood and "non-love." Creators and team: Musical direction: Krzysztof Garstka Direction, scenography, projections: Kamila Siwińska Costumes: Dorota Kołodyńska Dramaturgy, translation of the libretto and fragments of A Midsummer Night's Dream by W. Shakespeare: Małgorzata Sikorska-Miszczuk Stage movement: Jarosław Staniek Lighting design: Paulina Góral Vocal ensemble preparation: Karol Knapiński Assistant directors: Sławomir Jurczak, Agnieszka Kozłowska Stage managers: Tatiana Hempel-Gierlach, Agnieszka Orlikowska Cast: Soloists: Fairy: Olga Pasiecznik / Małgorzata Trojanowska Nymph: Marta Boberska / Iwona Lubowicz Mystery: Aleksander Rewiński / Sylwester Smulczyński Sleep: Michał Dembiński / Paweł Michalczuk Donkey: Mateusz Kulczyński / Kamil Zdebel Sun: Dorota Lachowicz / Aneta Łukaszewicz Actors: Lysander: Tomasz Nosinski Demetrius: Marcin Pempuś Helena: Monika Obara Hermia: Natalia Rybicka Actors appearing in projection: Titania: Ewa Błaszczyk Oberon: Krzysztof Strużycki Mustard (Musztardka): Tomasz Nosinski Little Spider (Pajęczynka): Marcin Pempuś Outsider (Odmieniec): Jarosław Stanek Ensembles and conductor: Vocal Ensemble of the Polish Royal Opera Early Instruments Ensemble of the Polish Royal Opera CAPELLA REGIA POLONA Conductor: Krzysztof Garstka Venue: Royal Theatre in the Old Orangery at the Łazienki Królewskie Museum in Warsaw Practical information: The performance is for viewers aged 16 and older. Seating in the auditorium is unnumbered. Note: access to the Royal Theatre in Łazienki is from Agrykola Street. Contact: +48 500 309 424 (Monday–Friday, 9:00–17:00)
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