Polish premiere of the opera 'David and Bathsheba'

The two-act contemporary opera-oratorio 'David and Bathsheba' with music by Ståle Kleiberg and libretto by Jessica Gordon is the second co-production of the Grażyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz Academy of Music in Łódź and the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera as part of the international project 'New Voices, Rediscovered Operas. Establishment of the Polish-Norwegian Opera Academy'. After performances in Trondheim in March, the piece is awaiting its Polish premiere. Four consecutive performances will take place on May 21-24, 2023 at 6:00 PM in the Concert Hall of the Academy of Music in Łódź. Free tickets can be collected at the Ticket Office of the music university at ul. Żubardzka 2.

The wide acclaim for Kleiberg's music brought a nomination for a Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording in 2009. The musical direction of the opera is led by the well-known Belarusian conductor Alexander Humala. Beata Redo-Dobber is responsible for the set design, costumes, and direction of the performance, who music lovers may remember as the director of the opera musical 'Łódź Story' by Włodzimierz Korcz, which premiered at the Academy of Music in Łódź.

Although librettist Jessica Gordon based its content on the 'Second Book of Samuel', the story set in biblical realities quickly reveals its timeless dimension. Throughout the narrative, the audience observes how often human emotions and personal desires influence decisions that should remain far beyond the realm of private interests. The ruler King David disregards the consequences of his choices that impact the public good - the ruler does not hesitate to resort to manipulation and abuse to seduce Bathsheba and betray Uriah.

The cast includes young opera singers from Poland and Norway, accompanied by the symphony orchestra from Trondheim. The premiere performance scheduled for May 21, 2023 will be the Polish premiere of Kleiberg's stage work. The premiere will be preceded by a meeting with the composer, who will share his own perspective on his work with the Łódź audience.

The co-production of the Grażyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz Academy of Music in Łódź and the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera is carried out as part of the project 'New Voices, Rediscovered Operas. Establishment of the Polish-Norwegian Opera Academy', funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the EEA Funds and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. A total of 2.6 million PLN has been allocated for the project.

Detailed information about the performances can be found on the University's website:
www.amuz.lodz.pl/pl/wydarzenia/opera-oratorium-david-and-bathsheba.