Towards an Alternative Stage History of Stanisław Moniuszko’s Halka: The Perfor- mance of Halka by the Workers’ Opera in Kraków (1956) Cover Image

Ku alternatywnej historii scenicznej Halki Stanisława Moniuszki O przedstawieniu Halki Opery Robotniczej w Krakowie (1956)
Towards an Alternative Stage History of Stanisław Moniuszko’s Halka: The Perfor- mance of Halka by the Workers’ Opera in Kraków (1956)

Author(s): Sławomir Wieczorek
Subject(s): Theatre, Dance, Performing Arts, Sociology of Art, History of Art
Published by: Instytut Sztuki Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: Stanisław Moniuszko; Halka; Stanisław Drabik; socialist realism; Workers’ Opera; music and politics;

Summary/Abstract: This article takes as its starting point the postulate that the stage history of Stanisław Moniuszko’s opera Halka should be revised to include in its historiography also social and political criteria, going beyond the previously adopted artistic and patriotic ones. To illustrate and support this postulate, three radically different forgotten stagings of Halka from the period 1944–1956 are recalled: in the Nazi- occupied Kraków, in the ruined Wrocław, and another one in Kraków, during the final months of Stalinism. This last-named performance, prepared by the Workers’ Opera in Kraków in July 1956, is presented in detail. It was directed by StanisławDrabik, the initiator of the Workers’ Opera. The article discusses his concept of the staging, its the relation to the famous performances of Halka directed by Leon Schiller, and its critical reception.

  • Issue Year: 73/2024
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 149-164
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Polish
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