The State Opera Banská Bystrica
The State Theatre Košice
Król Roger (King Roger)
Festival hudebního divadla OPERA 2025
Basic information
The Estates Theatre
EnsembleThe State Theatre Košice
Approximate running time1 hour 20 minutes, no intermission
LanguageIn Polish, surtitles in Czech, English
PremierePremiere: November 23., 2022, in Košice
Festival info at www.festival-opera.cz.
Performance as part of the 16th Festival of Music Theatre Opera 2025
About
The opera, King Roger, is the supreme work of Karol Szymanowski, whose creation was finished between 1918–1924. The libretto was written by the composer in collaboration with his distant cousin Jaroslaw Iwaskiewicz, who later became a well-known Polish writer. After several visits to Italy and Sicily, Szymanowski was fascinated by their culture and history, as well as the unknown worlds that opened up to him in Mediterranean surroundings. The Bacchae by Euripides, Plato's Phaedrus and Symposium, as well as the works of Friedrich Nietzsche also became King Roger´s spiritual inspiration.
The opera offers the story of the ruler Roger as a representative of a social system, a world of rationality, discipline and faith, disrupted by a mysterious Shepherd. With the arrival of a modern prophet, who preaches hedonism and self-indulgence and is followed by crowds, not only will the existing social order be shaken, but Roger´s personal transformation will also begin. Szymanowski himself referred to his work as a “mystery”– his themes are self-knowledge, sexuality, altered states of consciousness, but also religion and new forms of spirituality.
This original synthesis of musical and spiritual-philosophical influences in King Roger is one of the reasons why this piece has become closer to the modern audience in recent years and is experiencing its renaissance on the biggest opera stages of the world.
Suitable for ages 15 and older
Cast
Roger II, King of Sicily – Michał Partyka
Roxana, his wife – Gabriela Hrženjak
Edrisi, an Arab scholar – Maksym Kutsenko
Shepherd – Juraj Hollý
Archbishop – Michal Onufer
Deaconess – Myroslava Havryliuk
Young boy – Oleksandr Tishchenko
National Theatre Košice chorus and orchestra, children's choir under the direction of Igor Dohovič
Creatives
Conductor: Peter Valentovič
Concept: Anton Korenči, Roland Khern Tóth, Stanislav Trnovský
Stage Director: Anton Korenči
Sets: Ondrej Zachar
Costumes: Boris Hanečka
Light Design: Róbert Farkaš
Chorus Master: Peter Valentovič
Photo and video gallery
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Practical information
Where to buy tickets
The National Theatre sells tickets up to 6 months in advance. We are currently selling tickets for performances of Drama, Ballet, Opera and Laterna magika taking place in December 2024 – May 2025.
When purchasing online, you can get an e-ticket. You can pick up printed tickets in person at the box offices of the National Theatre.
What to wear?
By their appearance, attire and behaviour, the audience is obliged to adhere to the accustomed practice expected from them when attending a theatre performance.
Parking at the Estates Theatre
Unfortunately, there is no parking near The Estates Theater. You can use the guarded parking lot in the Kotva shopping center (Revoluční 1/655, Prague 1) and Paladium (Na Poříčí 1079 / 3a, Prague 1).
Buffets at the Estates Theater
No waiting. For your benefit, please pre-order your food and beverages at the bar to minimize waiting in the queue!
Menu (PDF, 60 kB)