Poland - Europe's fearless stage

Polish opera takes centre stage in this episode of Opera Road Trip. From Warsaw to Kraków, Gdańsk and Poznań, Sebastian F. Schwarz explores how Poland built one of Europe's most resilient and decentralised operatic ecosystems.

Introduced at the royal court in the 17th century, opera became a powerful tool of national identity — especially during the 19th century partitions. Stanisław Moniuszko's Halka, Straszny dwór and Hrabina established a Polish operatic canon that still defines the repertoire today.

In the 20th century, Karol Szymanowski's Król Roger reimagined Polish identity through myth and modernism, Krzysztof Penderecki expanded operatic sound into radical new territories, and Mieczysław Weinberg's Pasażerka confronted memory, exile and trauma.

The episode features Boris Kudlička, General Director of the Polish National Opera; soprano Olga Pasychnik; and director Sir David Pountney, whose productions have helped bring Polish repertoire to international audiences via OperaVision.

Poland emerges as a living operatic culture — balancing heritage, innovation and international collaboration across four centuries.

Opera Road Trip is hosted by Sebastian F. Schwarz, whose curriculum as an opera manager includes positions at Theater an der Wien, Glyndebourne, Teatro Regio Torino, Festival della Valle d'Itria, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wexford Festival Opera. He is Vice-President of the International Richard Strauss Society, member of the board of the European Musical Theatre Academy and co-founder of the Cesti Competition for Baroque Opera. He currently serves as Casting Manager of Teatro alla Scala , Milan.

All episodes: https://operavision.eu/feature/operavision-podcasts

Music extracts for this episode:

Introduction: Fidelio (Ludwig van Beethoven): Overture, op. 72

Two excerpts from Hrabina – The Countess (Stanisław Moniuszko)

Halka's aria from Halka (Stanisław Moniuszko): Julianna Grigorian, Grand Prize Winner, International Stanisław Moniuszko Voice Competition 2022

Roxana's aria from Król Roger (Karol Szymanowski): Olga Pasychnik

Sneak preview from Dorian Gray (Elżbieta Sikora), world premiere Poznań, 2025

OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme.

Watch live streams as performances unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows — including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connoisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.