Baltic State Opera
Encyclopedia
The Baltic State Opera is an opera
company in Gdańsk
, Poland
which performs in the Baltic State Opera House.
Originally, in 1949, it was organized as an Opera-Studio rather than as a full scale opera company. Due to the destruction of all theatres in Gdańsk by the end of World War II
, it made do with temporary facilities for a number of years after its founding, giving performances in various places around Gdańsk and Sopot
and finally settling in its current location, a building adapted from a former gymnasium
to which a newly built stage
was attached. The entire building has been completely renovated. In the same year (1949), as many other institutions in Poland, Opera-Studio was nationalized
.
The first season started formally in 1950. From 1952, in addition to opera performances, ballet
s were added. In 1953 the Opera-Studio joined the local Philharmonic Orchestra to form one institution under a single management and it was renamed as the Baltic State Opera and Philharmonic. Within it, the Gdańsk Philharmonic Orchestra (which was created in 1945) performed two functions: as an active Symphony orchestra, giving frequent and regular concerts to the public, and then as a dedicated opera orchestra, supporting all operatic and ballet performances.
Over the years, operatic performances increased while the number of concerts diminished accordingly. That situation lasted till 1974 when an entirely new symphony orchestra was created, although both orchestras remained under the same roof and had the same general manager. The newer symphony orchestra took over most of the concert tasks, and the older, predominant one was solely devoted to opera.
Finally, the Baltic State Opera and Philharmonic were completely separated in 1994 and they now have two different managements and two different addresses.
The Baltic State Opera performs not only in its local quarters, but also occasionally visits many opera theatres around Poland
and Europe
.
Polish
premiere
which took place in the Baltic Opera include:
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
company in Gdańsk
Gdansk
Gdańsk is a Polish city on the Baltic coast, at the centre of the country's fourth-largest metropolitan area.The city lies on the southern edge of Gdańsk Bay , in a conurbation with the city of Gdynia, spa town of Sopot, and suburban communities, which together form a metropolitan area called the...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
which performs in the Baltic State Opera House.
Originally, in 1949, it was organized as an Opera-Studio rather than as a full scale opera company. Due to the destruction of all theatres in Gdańsk by the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, it made do with temporary facilities for a number of years after its founding, giving performances in various places around Gdańsk and Sopot
Sopot
Sopot is a seaside town in Eastern Pomerania on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea in northern Poland, with a population of approximately 40,000....
and finally settling in its current location, a building adapted from a former gymnasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
to which a newly built stage
Stage (theatre)
In theatre or performance arts, the stage is a designated space for the performance productions. The stage serves as a space for actors or performers and a focal point for the members of the audience...
was attached. The entire building has been completely renovated. In the same year (1949), as many other institutions in Poland, Opera-Studio was nationalized
Nationalization
Nationalisation, also spelled nationalization, is the process of taking an industry or assets into government ownership by a national government or state. Nationalization usually refers to private assets, but may also mean assets owned by lower levels of government, such as municipalities, being...
.
The first season started formally in 1950. From 1952, in addition to opera performances, ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
s were added. In 1953 the Opera-Studio joined the local Philharmonic Orchestra to form one institution under a single management and it was renamed as the Baltic State Opera and Philharmonic. Within it, the Gdańsk Philharmonic Orchestra (which was created in 1945) performed two functions: as an active Symphony orchestra, giving frequent and regular concerts to the public, and then as a dedicated opera orchestra, supporting all operatic and ballet performances.
Over the years, operatic performances increased while the number of concerts diminished accordingly. That situation lasted till 1974 when an entirely new symphony orchestra was created, although both orchestras remained under the same roof and had the same general manager. The newer symphony orchestra took over most of the concert tasks, and the older, predominant one was solely devoted to opera.
Finally, the Baltic State Opera and Philharmonic were completely separated in 1994 and they now have two different managements and two different addresses.
The Baltic State Opera performs not only in its local quarters, but also occasionally visits many opera theatres around Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
premiere
Premiere
A premiere is generally "a first performance". This can refer to plays, films, television programs, operas, symphonies, ballets and so on. Premieres for theatrical, musical and other cultural presentations can become extravagant affairs, attracting large numbers of socialites and much media...
which took place in the Baltic Opera include:
- CherevichkiCherevichkiCherevichki [alternative renderings are The Little Shoes, The Tsarina's Slippers, Les caprices d'Oxane, and Gli stivaletti] is a comic-fantastic opera in 4 acts, 8 scenes, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It was composed in 1885 in Maidanovo, Russia...
by Tchaikovsky (1952) - Peter GrimesPeter GrimesPeter Grimes is an opera by Benjamin Britten, with a libretto adapted by Montagu Slater from the Peter Grimes section of George Crabbe's poem The Borough...
by Benjamin BrittenBenjamin BrittenEdward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten, OM CH was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. He showed talent from an early age, and first came to public attention with the a cappella choral work A Boy Was Born in 1934. With the premiere of his opera Peter Grimes in 1945, he leapt to...
(1958) - The Miraculous MandarinThe Miraculous MandarinThe Miraculous Mandarin or The Wonderful Mandarin Op. 19, Sz. 73 , is a one act pantomime ballet composed by Béla Bartók between 1918–1924, and based on the story by Melchior Lengyel. Premiered November 27, 1926 in Cologne, Germany, it caused a scandal and was subsequently banned...
by Bela BartokBéla BartókBéla Viktor János Bartók was a Hungarian composer and pianist. He is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century and is regarded, along with Liszt, as Hungary's greatest composer...
(1960) - RitaRita (opera)Rita, ou Le mari battu is an opéra comique in one act, composed by Gaetano Donizetti to a French libretto by Gustave Vaëz. The opera, a domestic comedy consisting of eight musical numbers connected by spoken dialogue, was completed in 1841 under its original title Deux hommes et une femme...
by Donizetti (1961) - The Rake's ProgressThe Rake's ProgressThe Rake's Progress is an opera in three acts and an epilogue by Igor Stravinsky. The libretto, written by W. H. Auden and Chester Kallman, is based loosely on the eight paintings and engravings A Rake's Progress of William Hogarth, which Stravinsky had seen on May 2, 1947, in a Chicago...
by Igor StravinskyIgor StravinskyIgor Fyodorovich Stravinsky ; 6 April 1971) was a Russian, later naturalized French, and then naturalized American composer, pianist, and conductor....
(1965) - IolantaIolantaIolanta, Op. 69, is a lyric opera in one act by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. The libretto was written by the composer's brother Modest Tchaikovsky, and is based on the Danish play Kong Renés Datter by Henrik Hertz. The play was translated by Fyodor Miller and adapted by Vladimir Zotov...
by Tchaikovsky (1977) - The Little Hump-backed Horse, ballet by Rodion ShchedrinRodion ShchedrinRodion Konstantinovich Shchedrin is a Russian composer. He was one оf the leading Soviet composers, and was the chairman of the Union of Russian Composers from 1973 until 1990.-Life and Works:...
(1978) - Luisa MillerLuisa MillerLuisa Miller is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Salvadore Cammarano, based on the play Kabale und Liebe by Friedrich von Schiller. The first performance was given at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples on December 8, 1849...
by Verdi (concert version, 2001) - I Lombardi alla prima crociataI Lombardi alla prima crociataI Lombardi alla prima crociata is an operatic dramma lirico in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera, based on an epic poem by Tommaso Grossi. Its first performance was given at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan on 11 February 1843...
by Verdi (concert version, 2004) - Anna BolenaAnna BolenaAnna Bolena is a tragedia lirica, or opera, in two acts by Gaetano Donizetti. Felice Romani wrote the Italian libretto after Ippolito Pindemonte's Enrico VIII ossia Anna Bolena and Alessandro Pepoli's Anna Bolena, both telling of the life of Anne Boleyn...
by Donizetti (2004) - I masnadieriI masnadieriI masnadieri is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Andrea Maffei, based on Die Räuber by Friedrich von Schiller....
by Verdi (concert version, 2005)