Chopin and His Master

comprising:

• Echo in the Woods (Echo w lesie) — opera by Józef Elsner
• 17 Songs by Frédéric Chopin in a staged setting
• Chopin’s Variations on La ci darem la mano

Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus

• 3649 East 65th Street
  Cleveland, OH 44105

• Friday, April 23, 2010
  at 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, April 24, 2010
  at 8:00 p.m.

Continuing our celebration of Chopin’s anniversary year, this production includes a US premiere of the one-act classical comic opera by Elsner, who was Chopin’s teacher. In Polish with English translation projected. Light and lovely.

• With Opera Circle Orchestra
  under Jacek Sobieski
• Jacek Sobieski, piano
• Krzysztof Biernacki, baritone
• Dorota Sobieska, soprano
• Andrzej Stec, tenor

TICKETS

• $55 Reserved Sponsor Seats
• $20 General Admission
• $10 Student

It is not until the current issue of Forum that we describe Opera Circle’s performances on November 20 and 22 of 2009. We hope that this tardiness will be forgiven by the directors of the Opera and the faithful public that came to the Bohemian National Hall, where the performances of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale took place. (more…)

Whenever I set out to describe a work presented by Opera Circle, I feel somewhat anxious. I doubt if I will be able to accomplish the task, whether I will sufficiently represent the composer and his work, whether I will grant enough credit to the tremendous dedication of the Sobieski family in such an endeavor…

My preference would be to share a brief commentary along with a colorful DVD, since it is truly impossible to express in words the entire artistic aura created by the sets, the costumes, the soloists, the choir, and, of course, the music as performed by the orchestra. (more…)

It’s difficult to mention the titles of all of Mozarts’ works that have become known through the repertory of the Opera Circle. So I will content myself with mentioning only numbers: Bastien and Bastienne is the seventh premiere of a Mozart opera by the Polish troupe based in Cleveland.

Mozart created twenty scenic-vocal works, which, considering his short life, barely 35 years, was a great achievement. He composed his first opera at the age of 10. Bastien and Bastienne was created when this talented child was only twelve years old. (more…)

This never happened before: it took place for the first time and hopefully with many repeats.

The two-day performance of the Opera Circle ensemble will go down in history as a cultural event recorded in gold letters.

On Saturday evening, June 26th, a piano recital featuring Jacek Sobieski took place at the Center. The following day, after traditional dinner was a yet another spiritual feast. All thanks to Dorota Sobieski. This time it was a musical program entitled “Addio!” which ended the Opera Circle’s season for the summer.

First, let us focus on the Saturday piano performance of Jacek Sobieski. He played a repertoire that was ambitious and at the same time interesting.

(more…)