Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937)
Information about the composer Karol Szymanowski and his operas.
A Polish composer and pianist.
Operas:
Król Roger (King Roger)
Scored with luscious music, the opera is loosely based on the Bacchae by Euripedes.
Recommended recordings on CD
Kaspszyk/Drabowicz/Pasichnyk (CD Accord ACD131-2)
An excellent atmospheric performance, with an all-Polish cast, now making this the recommended version.
Polish National Opera Chorus, Polish National Opera Orchestra, conducted by Jacek Kaspszyk.
Cast: Wojtek Drabowicz (Roger II), Olga Pasichnyk (Roxana), Piotr Beczala (Shepherd), Romuald Tesarowicz (Archbishop), Stefania Toczyska (Deaconess), Krzysztof Szmyt (Edrisi).
CD Accord ACD131-2
Rattle/Hampson/Szmytka (EMI Classics 7243 CDS 556823-2)
The finest recording of King Roger, and winner of a Gramophone award in 2000.
City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Chorus, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, 7/1998.
Cast: Thomas Hampson (Roger II), Elzbieta Szmytka (Roxana), Ryszard Minkiewicz (Shepherd), Robert Gierlach (Archbishop), Jadwiga Rappé (Deaconess), Philip Langridge (Edrisi).
EMI Classics 7243 CDS 556823-2
Recommended recordings on DVD
Elder/Hendricks/Pasichnyk (C Major 702 808)
The first time this opera has been available on DVD, this is a traditional production recorded live at the Bregenz Festival with excellent performances.
Children's Chorus of Musikhauptschule Bregenz, Camerata Silesia, Polish Radio Choir Kraków, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mark Elder, 2009.
Cast: Scott Hendricks (Roger II), Olga Pasichnyk (Roxana), Will Hartmann (Shepherd), Sorin Coliban (Archbishop), Luibov Sokolova (Deaconess), John Graham-Hall (Edrisi).
C Major 702 808