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Karol Szymanowski

Król Roger, op. 46

Opera

Op. 46 Stage

King Roger (Polish: Król Roger, Op. 46) is an opera in three acts by Karol Szymanowski to a Polish libretto by the composer himself and Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz, the composer's cousin. The score was finished in 1924. The opera received its world premiere on 19 June 1926 at the Grand Theatre, Warsaw, with the cast including the composer's sister, the soprano Stanisława Korwin-Szymanowska, as Roxana. The opera deals with the life of Roger II of Sicily.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Synopsis

Place: Sicily
Time: 12th century
The story concerns the enlightenment of the Christian King Roger II 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 by the Archbishop as well as the crowd for his punishment as a heretic, Roxana, Roger's wife, convinces the King not to kill him. She implores him to pass a fair judgment on the Shepherd. Roger orders the young man to appear at the palace that night, where he will explain himself and submit to the King's judgement.

  1. Król Roger: Act I. Hagios! Hagios!
  2. Król Roger: Act I. Boże pobłogosław Panie praodwieczny
  3. Król Roger: Act I. Czyś słyszał?
  4. Król Roger: Act I. Oto bluźnierca!
  5. Król Roger: Act I. Mój Bóg jest piękny jako ja
  6. Król Roger: Act I. W jego uśmiechu!
  7. Król Roger: Act I. Niech odejdzie Pasterz

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.

  1. Król Roger: Act II. (Orchestra)
  2. Król Roger: Act II. Niepokój bladych gwiazd
  3. Król Roger: Act II. A ...!...Roksana! Jej śpiew!
  4. Król Roger: Act II. Ktoś mglisty przeszedł między strażą!
  5. Król Roger: Act II. O przychodzę sam, jako kazałeś, Królu
  6. Król Roger: Act II. A ...! Uśpij swój lęk i gniew, Rogerze!
  7. Król Roger: Act II. Tajemnych głębin życia żar wszechmocną
  8. Król Roger: Act II. Dance of the Shepherd's followers
  9. Król Roger: Act II. Roxana's entrance: A...! W radosnym tańcu
  10. Król Roger: Act II. Kto śmie mój czar łańcuchem pętać rabów?
  11. Król Roger: Act II. Słuchajcie ... W ciszy nocy, słuchajcie

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.

  1. Król Roger: Act III. (Orchestra)
  2. Król Roger: Act III. Wokół martwota głazów
  3. Król Roger: Act III. Rogerze! Rogerze!
  4. Król Roger: Act III. Na sąd, na sąd staw się Królu
  5. Król Roger: Act III. Syć ofiarny
  6. Król Roger: Act III. Edrisi, już świt!
  7. Król Roger: Act III. Słońce! Słońce! Edrisi!

Synopsis from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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Elsewhere

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