The Polish National Opera unveils its 2024-25 season. Aleksandra Kurzak and Rafał Siwek on the cast
The Polish National Opera will show four opera premieres and two concert performances in the 2024-25 season.
The first premiere of the season (November 2024) is “The Black Mask” by Krzysztof Penderecki, conducted by Bassem Akika and directed by David Pountney. The title character tries to escape from a dark secret, but the past catches up with her unexpectedly, leading to the collapse of reality.
The second premiere (February 2025) is “Simon Boccanegra” by Giuseppe Verdi, a tragic love story set against the background of political games in an unconventional post-apocalyptic reality. Staged by Agnieszka Smoczyńska, it will mark her operatic debut. The Orchestra of the Polish National Opera Orchestra will be conducted by Fabio Biondi. Sebastian Catana will sing the title role, with Rafał Siwek as Jacopo Fiesco.
Another repertoire novelty is “Ariadne on Naxos” by Richard Strauss (April 2025), directed by Mariusz Treliński, with Lothar Koenigs on the podium.
Conductor Marta Kluczyńska will present a new operatic discovery of “Ghost of the Governor” by Ludwik Grossman. Enjoying a great popularity in the 19th century, also outside Poland, the score will be directed by Cezary Tomaszewski. The concert performance will premiere in April 2025.
The last show tells a love story destined to fail due to a family and political conflict, “Romeo and Juliet“. Charles Gounod’s opera will be performed in a concert version conducted by Patrick Fournillier (May 2025).
The following titles will be revisited: “Carmen”, “The Magic Flute”, “The Haunted Manor”, “Così fan tutte”, “Madama Butterfly” and “Tosca” (both featuring Aleksandra Kurzak).
Tickets for the 2024-25 season will go on sale on May 21 at 11.00.