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A composer cast his own sister to premiere his opera King Roger
Karol Szymanowski's opera King Roger premiered in Warsaw with his sister singing the lead soprano role of Roxana.
King Roger is an opera in three acts by Karol Szymanowski, set to a Polish libretto he co-wrote with his cousin Jaroslaw Iwaszkiewicz. The score was completed in 1924, and the work tells a story drawn from the world of Roger II of Sicily.
Its world premiere took place at the Grand Theatre in Warsaw. The cast featured the composer's sister, soprano Stanislawa Korwin-Szymanowska, in the role of Roxana.
The opera blended family, history, and bold musical vision.
Why it mattersIt captures how deeply personal early modern opera could be, with a composer staging his own family on the premiere night.
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