Szymanowski: Krol Roger
Szymanowski's rarely performed masterpiece, King Roger, from the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, with Mariusz Kwiecien in the title role and conducted by Antonio Pappano.
Tonight's Opera on 3 is another chance to hear Szymanowski's rarely performed masterpiece, Kr贸l Roger (King Roger), from the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden which was recorded live in May 2015. It stars Mariusz Kwiecien in the title role, conducted by Antonio Pappano in the production by Kasper Holten.
Szymanowski's great opera, which had its premiere in 1926, grew out of his passion for Mediterranean culture as an amalgam of different peoples and religions. It also treats some of the themes that first appeared in his lost homoerotic novel Efebos. Set in 12th-century Sicily, the opera traces the journey to enlightenment of the Christian King Roger II through his encounter with a mysterious pagan Shepherd. While Roger's court call for the Shepherd to be put to death, Roger's queen Roxana urges her husband to accept the Shepherd's creed. Roger gradually realizes that he can only maintain his integrity by neither merely upholding the law of the church, or by yielding to the wild freedom (symbolised in abandoned dances) of the Shepherd and his followers. In his final ecstatic soliloquy, Roger attains self-realization.
Andrew McGregor introduces the performance that was originally heard live in May 2015.
King Roger II of Sicily.....Mariusz Kwiecien (Baritone)
Shepherd.....Saimir Pirgu (Tenor)
Roxana.....Georgia Jarman (Soprano)
Edrisi.....Kim Begley (Tenor)
Archbishop.....Alan Ewing (Bass)
Deaconess.....Agnes Zwierko (Mezzo-soprano)
The Royal Opera Chorus
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Antonio Pappano (Conductor)
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Music Played
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Karol Szymanowski
Kr贸l Roger (King Roger)
Orchestra: The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. Conductor: Sir Antonio Pappano.
Synopsis
ACT I
The Archbishop leads the celebration of Mass in the cathedral. He and the Deaconess demand that King Roger punish a new self-proclaimed prophet. Roger鈥檚 advisor Edrisi confirms to the King that the man, who calls himself the Shepherd, is preaching a new, strange faith. Queen Roxana urges King Roger to summon the Shepherd to explain himself.
The Shepherd arrives and seductively describes his god. Roxana is drawn to the Shepherd鈥檚 preachings of freedom, pleasure and love and urges Roger to listen, but everyone else calls for his execution for blasphemy. Roger is confused, but after changing his mind several times, he lets the Shepherd go free and asks him to return to for a private meeting that night.
ACT II
As King Roger waits for the Shepherd, he confides to Edrisi his anxiety and confusion. Edrisi suggests that Roger should enjoy Roxana鈥檚 embraces, which he has not sought for a long time. Roxana, longing for this, urges Roger to listen to the Shepherd鈥檚 philosophy of pleasure. The Shepherd arrives and describes his faith, urging everyone to let go of all inhibitions and only seek pleasure. He lets loose an orgiastic dance, and an ecstatic crowd gathers. King Roger tries to stop the Shepherd, but in vain. 聽Roxana is drawn into the ecstasy of the crowd and leaves with the Shepherd and his followers. Roger knows he has to follow.
ACT III
It is now King Roger who is on trial, as the Shepherd has taken over power. Roger wanders among ruins searching for Roxana; Edrisi repeatedly asks him to call out for her. Roxana appears and urges King Roger to surrender to the Shepherd. The Shepherd appears, now revealing his true face as the god of pure pleasure, and demanding that everyone abandon all caution to follow him blindly. His followers ignite an immense sacrificial bonfire. But Roger resists the Shepherd. As dawn breaks, Roger feels hopeful to build a new life rather than submit to the Shepherd.
Broadcasts
- Sat 16 May 2015 18:50大象传媒 Radio 3
- Sat 13 Jun 2020 18:30大象传媒 Radio 3
