Hrabina: a Polish Opera

Once again, this unorthodox indie-opera company continues to redefine what is possible under a kaleidoscope of economic circumstances. During this time of great economic adjustment, OperaOggiNY continues to surprise. Forging ahead with its inclusive approach to performances, dubbed “Walk to the Opera,” the company follows its recent successes, Menotti's The Medium and Mercadante's Il Giuramento, with the American premiere of Polish composer Stanislaw Moniuszko’s three act opera Hrabina.

This production, presented in Greenpoint, Brooklyn’s Polish mecca, is a culturally dynamic response to a local neighborhood's historic artistic and national heritage and marks what is most likely the first time any Polish opera has been staged in the Greenpoint/Williamsburg community, as well as the first viable opportunity for both Polish- and non Polish-speaking audiences to enjoy the same event. Combining both folk and classical performers, the work will be presented in the original polish with the Polish born soprano, Malgorzata Kellis, in the title role of Hrabina, and will feature dancers and singers chosen from the surrounding Polish residents, along with OperaOGGINY's principal singers.

Hrabina - The Countess, tells the story of a young, recently widowed aristocrat and her circle of courtiers and family members. The characters are divided along the lines of the city sophisticates and the country nationalists, and through their interactions, Moniuszko asks a fundamental question: Why do we ignore our own culture and instead elevate those of Western European nations (in this case, Italy and France)? Juxtaposing Italianate and Polish folk musical styles, the composer explores the schism between those who love things foreign and those who love things Polish. Moniuszko complained often of how Italian opera was favored and Polish opera largely ignored during this period, and even today, while this very expressive and nationalistic opera was hugely popular in Poland, it has never been recorded in its entirety. The only existing recordings are excerpts

Performances

Greenpoint/Williamsburg
April 16th 8pm Polish Slavic Center: 177 Kent St.
April 18th 5pm Warsar - Polish National Home Hall 261 Driggs Ave

Malgorzata Kellis will portray the title role of Hrabina.
Mario Arevalo - Kazimierz
Dylan Bandy - Bronia
Zander Eben - Dzidzi
Ron Mesa - Podczaszyc
Ivan Amaro - Chorazy
Elena Laurenti - Pana Ewa

joined by the Polish Singer's Chorus.
and the Polish American Folk Dance Company.

The entire production is under the supervision of Thomas Lawrence Toscano,
Artistic Director and Conductor of the group.

Admission: $20 dollars.
Subway access: L train or G trains

For more information call: please contact Will Carter @ 718-312-8064
or write press@operaogginy.com

Other relevant links
www.operaogginy.com
www.operaogginy.info
www.thomaslawrencetoscano.com
www.williamrlewis.com

Artistic Director; Thomas Lawrence Toscano
conductor/composer, a history of performances in Sicily, South America, US, founded various orchestras and the Vizzini Music Festival,conducted and co-produced the first Philip Glass opera in South America "The Fall of the House of Usher"; student of Bernstein, Giulini, Mueller)

Musical Director: William R. Lewis
Consumate opera coach and accompanist, constantly works with, Marcello Giordani, Ronan Tynan, Maureen O'Flynn, Lauren Flannigan, J.Patrick Raferty, Spiro Malas, Cythia Haymann, to name a few.