In recognition of the 100th anniversary of regaining independence by Poland, the Cleveland Opera will create a new production of The Haunted Manor [Straszny dwór] by Stanisław Moniuszko, to be presented in on June 16 at the Ohio Theater at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland. This original production will be fully staged, sung in Polish with English translation projected. It will be performed with the Cleveland Ballet and The Cleveland Opera Orchestra under the baton of Grzegorz Nowak, Music Director at the Grand Opera in Warsaw, Principle Conductor at the Cleveland Opera, and Permanent Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. It will be a splendid event, demonstrating the best possible image of Polish culture to general public in the most prestigious theater complex in Cleveland and second largest in the United States after Lincoln Center.
The story of The Haunted Manor represents an idyllic view of life in a Polish country manor house thwarted by the need of two young men, Stefan and Zbigniew, to defend their homeland against an invasion of an enemy; hence their oath never to marry. But, as they meet two lovely, extraordinary women, Hanna and Jadwiga, their brazen steadfastness is melted by the fire of their hearts. Other notable roles include Miecznik (baritone), Cześnikowa (mezzo-soprano), Skołuba (bass), Damazy (tenor), Maciej (baritone) and others, enhanced with magnificent choruses and ballet, all in historic Polish costumes. Mingling comedy and pathos, The Haunted Manor is a brilliant example of opera semiseria.
June 16, 2018 | 7:30 pm
Cleveland Opera’s New Production of Moniuszko’s The Haunted Manor
Ohio Theater, PlayhouseSquare, downtown Cleveland at 1511 Euclid Avenue
Tickets ($25 – $65): playhousesquare.org or call 216-241-6000 | 866-546-1353
Info: theclevelandopera.org/haunted-manor
[Sources: press release, theclevelandopera.org]
Additional tags: Performances, June 2018, Independence Centenary