FULL Krol Roger (Szymanowski) Palermo 2005 Wojciech Drabowicz, Elżbieta Szmytka, Ludovit Ludha, Roy Stevens
Information on the Performance
- Work Title: Krol Roger aka King Roger
- Composer: Szymanowski Karol
- Libretto: Karol Szymanowski, Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz Libretto Text, Libretto Index
- Venue & Opera Company: Teatro Massimo di Palermo, Italy
- Recorded: November 18, 2005
- Type: Staged Opera Live
- Singers: Wojciech Drabowicz, Elżbieta Szmytka, Ludovit Ludha, Roy Stevens, Daniel Borowski, Agnes Zwierko
- Conductor: Jan Latham Koenig
- Orchestra: Orchestra della Fondazione Teatro Massimo
- Chorus: Coro della Fondazione Teatro Massimo
- Chorus Master: Paolo Vero
- Ballet: Ballo della Fondazione Teatro Massimo
- Choreographer: Giovanni Di Cicco
- Stage Director: Yannis Kokkos
- Stage Designer: Yannis Kokkos
- Costume Designer: Yannis Kokkos
- Lighting Designer: Guido Levi
Information about the Recording
- Published by: Elzbieta Szmytka Offiziel
- Date Published: 2022
- Format: Broadcast
- Quality Video: 3 Audio:3
- Subtitles: nosubs
- Video Recording from: YouTube FULL VIDEO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE
Synopsis by Wikipedia
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 1
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.
Act 2
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.
Act 3
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.