National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble Mazowszehttps://www.mazowsze.waw.pl/en/repertoire/the-ensembles-repertoir/4,The-ensembles-repertoire.html2022-02-06, 09:10

Theensemble’srepertoire

The ensemble’srepertoireLadies and Gentlemen,

We are an established,internationally knowncompany. We have beenpresent in the music marketfor sixty-seven years! This isa guarantee of our artisticsuccess to you.

So far, we have performedfor over eighteen millionpeople. We have travelled1.4 million miles (2.3 millionkilometers) and visited 189places in Poland and 50countries abroad. Promotingthe national songs anddances of Poland, we havegained popularity and thetitle ofAmbassador of Polish

Romanca à la kujawiak;Romanca à la kujawiak;Romanca à la kujawiak;Romanca à la kujawiak;photo: Monika Słęckaphoto: Monika Słęckaphoto: Monika Słęckaphoto: Monika Słęcka

Polish Bethlehem; photo:Polish Bethlehem; photo:Polish Bethlehem; photo:Polish Bethlehem; photo:Monika SłęckaMonika SłęckaMonika SłęckaMonika Słęcka

The Magical Journey – All ofThe Magical Journey – All ofThe Magical Journey – All ofThe Magical Journey – All ofOur Beautiful Poland;Our Beautiful Poland;Our Beautiful Poland;Our Beautiful Poland;photo: Monika Słęckaphoto: Monika Słęckaphoto: Monika Słęckaphoto: Monika Słęcka

The Kaleidoscope of PolishThe Kaleidoscope of PolishThe Kaleidoscope of PolishThe Kaleidoscope of PolishColors; photo: EwaColors; photo: EwaColors; photo: EwaColors; photo: EwaŻukowskaŻukowskaŻukowskaŻukowska

A Supposed Miracle, orA Supposed Miracle, orA Supposed Miracle, orA Supposed Miracle, orCracovians and HighlandersCracovians and HighlandersCracovians and HighlandersCracovians and Highlanders

The Land of Dreams –The Land of Dreams –The Land of Dreams –The Land of Dreams –national dancesnational dancesnational dancesnational dances

Folk Songs; photo: EwaFolk Songs; photo: EwaFolk Songs; photo: EwaFolk Songs; photo: EwaŻukowskaŻukowskaŻukowskaŻukowska

Patriotic SongsPatriotic SongsPatriotic SongsPatriotic Songs

Sacred MusicSacred MusicSacred MusicSacred Music Christmas Carols and SongsChristmas Carols and SongsChristmas Carols and SongsChristmas Carols and Songs

Fantasy on Poland – PolishFantasy on Poland – PolishFantasy on Poland – PolishFantasy on Poland – PolishNational Dances; photo:National Dances; photo:National Dances; photo:National Dances; photo:Monika SłęckaMonika SłęckaMonika SłęckaMonika Słęcka

The Pilgrim; photo PiotrThe Pilgrim; photo PiotrThe Pilgrim; photo PiotrThe Pilgrim; photo PiotrPasieczny/ FOTOBUENOPasieczny/ FOTOBUENOPasieczny/ FOTOBUENOPasieczny/ FOTOBUENO

Culture.

Mazowsze is one of theworld’s biggest artisticensembles, drawing from anabundance of our nationaldances, songs, chants, andtraditions. At our roots thereare sources which emphasizethat in these changing times,we remain who we are.Because of the vast richnessof our repertoire, Mazowszeis frequently referred to asa national ensemble. Forthousands of viewersabroad, Mazowsze’s concertswere their first contact withPolish culture. “If that is theface of Poland, then long livePoland!” – that is whata Swiss paper “Gazette deLausanne” wrote about theensemble. Jerzy Waldorffcalled Mazowsze the crownjewel of the Republic ofPoland.

Christmas Carols and songs,performed by Mazowsze’ssoloists, ballet, andorchestra, are traditionallyinterpreted. It is anemotional rendering of themost popular carols, as wellas an opportunity to hear thelesser-known pieces, such

as Serca ludzkie sięradują [HeartsAre Rejoicing], or ŚwiętaPanienka [Our Holy Lady].Though they all pertain tothe same event, they differsubstantially. In some, thelistener can hear the rhythmof mazur or oberek, in others– of polonaise. Most are filledwith joy, but some arewistful.

Our newconcertproposals

TheKaleidoscope ofPolish ColorsA full performance concertcomprised of Polish songs aswell as national and regionaldances.

Colors changing as ina kaleidoscope, musicbringing unforgettableemotions, dancing andsinging, singing and dancing

– the concert programincludes the most popularsongs and the mostcaptivating choreographiesfrom the ensemble’srepertoire (prepared byElwira Kamińska, EugeniuszPapliński, but mainly byWitold Zapała). The audiencecan also admire the beautifulcostumes from twentydifferent ethnographicregions of Poland. In thewhirlpool of colors there willbe national dances such aspolonaise, krakowiak,oberek, mazur, andkujawiak, as well as regionaldances accompanied by thecharacteristic, originalchants.

“If that is the face of Poland,then long livePoland!” (ʺGazette deLausanne”, Switzerland)

Cud mniemanyczyliKrakowiacyi Górale [A

SupposedMiracle, orCracovians andHighlanders]Directed by AndrzejStrzelecki. A musicalperformance based onWojciech Bogusławski’sopera.

This is the first Polish operaof the Enlightenment period,with Jan Stefani’s music andWojciech Bogusławski’slibretto. Directed by AndrzejStrzelecki, it was staged byMazowsze for the ensemble’s65th anniversary. InMazowsze’s interpretation, itis a humorous and movingstory about love, friendshipand conflict, but mostimportantly aboutreconciliation andforgiveness.

Colorful regional costumes,beautiful music, the actors’brilliant skills (especially intheir use of regional dialects)as well as a generous doseof humor – all these featurescombined result ina standing ovation at the

end of each performance.This is where the pastconnects with the present.

Mazowsze in an alternativeartistic form – it’s a must-see!

Directed by: Andrzej StrzeleckiAdapted by: Andrzej StrzeleckiChoreographer: Zofia RudnickaSet decorator: TatianaKwiatkowskaMusical director: Jacek BonieckiAssistant director: ZdzisławKordyjalikAssistant choreographer: PiotrZalipski

The MagicalJourney – All ofOur BeautifulPolandDirected by ZbigniewKułagowski. An educationalperformance for children.

The magical world ofcontemporary theater invitesthe youngest viewers to anamazing journey!

The fictional story features

three main characters – littleAgnieszka, her older brotherTomek, and Mr. Kajetan, themysterious restorer of oldfolk musical instruments.They will take you fora surprising journey full ofunexpected adventures.Together with them, you willlearn about unusual folkhandicraft such as “leluja” –a kind of artistic cut-outsfrom the region of Kurpie,intricately decorated hugeEaster palms, or a hand-painted dowry chest fromWilamowice. You will get toknow some characteristicfolk dances, costumes,customs, and traditions. Youwill find out about traditionalfolk instruments(“burczybas”, “diabelskieskrzypce” [devil’s violin], and“kozioł weselny”). Thejourney will take you to eightfascinating, colorful regions:Mazowsze (Wilanów), Kurpie,Kaszuby, Wielkopolskę(Szamotuły), Śląsk(Wilamowice and Rozbark),Spisz (Jurgów), andLubelszczyzna (Krzczonów).

The colorful world youngviewers experience

fascinates them, andteaches them to respectPolish traditions of folkculture. Each of the visitedregions is illustrated withimpressive regional dancepresentations, and thecostumes worn by dancersare real works of folk art. Theindividual parts of theperformance are linked bycomputer animations, whichpresent characteristicregional costumes in a close-up, with their ornaments andembroidery. The animationsare accompanied by musicalthemes characteristic of theregions presented.

This unusual theatricalperformance is presented bythe ballet and orchestra ofthe National Folk Song andDance Ensemble Mazowsze,and the actors.

Written and directed by:Zbigniew KułagowskiMusical director and arranger:Krystian SegdaChoreographysupervision: Wioletta MilczukGraphic animation: DawidKozłowskiFilm director and editor:Tomasz Kurlej

Photographs: Jan Drzewiecki

Cast:the ballet and orchestra of theNational Folk Song and DanceEnsemble MazowszeDirector: Jacek Boniecki /Andrzej Borzym JrSinger: Paulina Patora / KlaudiaPawlikowska / KatarzynaSajewiecViolinist: Jędrzej Nalaskowski /Michał Ostrowski

Actors:Mr. Kajetan: Piotr Macalak /Jacek LeptaczAgnieszka: Julia Dominiak /Anna KowalczykTomek: Paweł Klociński /Mateusz Zawada

The Land ofDreams –national dancesDirected by RobertoSkolmowski. An educationalperformance for children.

An educational performanceIn the land of dreamseverything is possible... Agroup of children visit the

home of Mazowsze – theplace where the dreams ofthe ensemble’s first dancersand founders came true.During their visit, thechildren begin dreamingabout art. In theirimagination they seethemselves as dancers andmusicians. They get to knowthe work of an artist and findout what the stage is allabout.

In accordance with the directorRoberto Skolmowski’s vision,the story aims to show thebeauty and richness of Polishnational dances. It is acquiredthrough costumes, music, andadvanced multimediaprojection techniques.Staged and directed by:Roberto SkolmowskiMultimedia design and film:Wojciech HejnoChoreography supervision:Wioletta MilczukPhotography: Jan DrzewieckiOn stage: the ballet and theorchestra of the National FolkSong and Dance EnsembleMazowszeConducted by: Jacek Boniecki /Andrzej Borzym JrNarrated by: Klara Rejnowicz

Romanca à lakujawiakDirected by ZbigniewKułagowski

The new proposal in theensemble’s repertoire isaddressed to young people.The strength of theperformance lies in itsattractive theatrical form offiction. The story is based onblossoming romantic feelingsbetween two young people –a high school senior anda university student.Following their accidentalmeeting, their amusingromantic experiences, andtheir fascination with musicand dance, the audience istaken on a journey throughthe world of national dancesof Poland, such as polonaise,mazur, kujawiak, oberek,and krakowiak. Educationalvalues have been discreetlyincorporated within thedynamic story, whose grandfinale is the magnificentpolonaise danced at thesenior prom.

The audience learns thehistory and form of the fivePolish national dances bywitnessing staged rehearsalsof a dance ensemble and theirstriking presentations by theballet and the orchestra ofthe National Folk Song andDance Ensemble Mazowsze.

Written and directed byZbigniew KułagowskiMusic director Jacek BonieckiChoreography ElwiraKamińska, Zbigniew Kiliński,Wioletta Milczuk, EugeniuszPapliński, Witold ZapałaLighting Łukasz RóżewiczCast:Paulina: Paulina PatoraMateusz: Mateusz ZawadaDance instructor: MarcinMierzejewskiThe Professor: ZdzisławKordyjalikMs. W.: Wioletta MilczukHigh School Principal: ZdzisławKordyjalikThe Ballet and the Orchestra ofthe National Folk Song andDance Ensemble Mazowsze

PolishBethlehemDirected by ZbigniewKułagowski

In the unusual double jubileeyear – the 100th Anniversaryof Regaining Independenceby Poland and the70th Anniversaryof Mazowsze – the ensembleundertakes a new project.We are preparing an unusualperformance, based onLucjan Rydel’s dramaticplay Betlejem polskie [Polish Bethlehem]. About 150people are taking part in ourperformance – actors, solosingers, as well as ballet,choir, and orchestra artists.

InRydel’s Polish Bethlehem theevents take place in threetime periods – present dayPoland, our history, andbiblical times. The events arewritten into the Polishlandscape and historicalreality – they revive the past.Jesus is born in the midst ofthe Polish winter, andBethlehem lies somewherein Poland – maybe in

Małopolska, maybe inKaszuby. King Herod of theBible is not only the ruler ofancient Palestine, butPoland’s oppressor andRussificator; the Three Kingsare our historic rulers –Casimir the Great,Władysław Jagiełło, and JohnIII Sobieski.

The makers of theperformance, while keepingbalance between the sacredand universal aspects, delvea little bit outside of thescreenplay’s scope, as is thetheatrical tradition. They tiethe story to the100th anniversary ofregaining independence byPoland, the Warsaw Uprisingof 1944, and the dramaticevents of December 1970,which foretold another spurtfor independence in Polandin the ‘80s.

Tying the story to thesemagnificent events in ourhistory, we aim not only tocreate a patriotic picture ofour national fates, but mostof all a humorousperformance full of danceand song, with the choirs ofangels, the Holy Family, and

also with the most beautifulChristmas songs and carols.

The premiere performance,crowning the jubilee year, isplanned for December 7,2018.

Stage production:Lucjan Rydel – PolishBethlehemAdapted and directed by:Zbigniew KułagowskiMusic supervisor: JacekBonieckiMusic and arrangements:Krystian SegdaChoreography: WiolettaMilczukChoreographic consultant:Zbigniew Czapski-KłodaVocal supervisor: MirosławZiomekCostumes: Zofia de Ines, MiraZimińska-Sygietyńska, RafałOrłowskiSet decorator: TadeuszSmolickiVisuals: Dawid KozłowskiLighting design: ŁukaszRóżewiczSound design: Piotr MastalerskiAssistant set decorator:Małgorzata HaberskaAssistant director: Piotr Borek

Folk SongsThe ensemble’s mostbeautiful songs in concert.

The concert performedby Mazowsze’s soloists,ballet, and orchestrapresents the richness ofPolish national folk songs,which have a permanentplace in the ensemble’srepertoire. Most of themwere composed by TadeuszSygietyński, while MiraZimińska-Sygietyńskaadapted the traditional folklyrics.

During the concert, theaudiences can enjoy popularsongs, often sung at home,suchas Kukułeczka [Cuckoo], Furman [The Carter], and Cyt,cyt [Shh, Shh]. The concertalso offers an opportunity todiscover the lesser-knownsongs from the ensemble’srepertoire, e.g. Szyszki [PineCones], Trudno [Hard Luck],or Ogarek [Candle Stub].

Patriotic SongsA concert of songs, whichover the years, accompaniedPolish people during difficulttimes and kept their spiritsup.

The concert performedby Mazowsze’s soloists,ballet, and orchestraincludes songs which, overthe years, accompaniedPolish people and kept theirspirits up. These are songswhich have been animportant element of Polishnational identity, but wewould also like to reflect upsongs that used to be sungin Polish homes.

In the ensemble’s songcollection we can find bothlegionary and cavalry songs,such as Omój rozmarynie [Oh MyRosemary], Legiony [TheLegions], or Bywajdziewczę zdrowe [Fare Thee Well, My Girl], and armysongs (often called soldiersongs), e.g. Czerwone makina Monte Cassino [RedPoppies on Monte Cassino],or Serce w plecaku [Heart in

a Backpack].

Mazowsze’s concertof Patriotic Songs adds to thecelebrations of the100th Anniversary ofRegaining Independence byPoland, as well as otherevents of patriotic nature.

Sacred MusicMazowsze’s repertoirealways features WolfgangAmadeusMozart’s CoronationMass and Requiem, BattistaPergolesi’s Stabat Mater,Stanisław Moniuszko’s III.Litania Ostrobramska [ThirdLitany of Ostra Brama], andother Polish andinternational religiouspieces.

Wolfgang Amadeus1.Mozart’s CoronationMass is performedby Mazowsze’ssoloists, ballet, andorchestra.Mozart’s CoronationMass – Mass No. 15in C major K. 317 –was composed for

the Salzburgcathedral,supposedly forEaster. Apart fromthe presentation ofMozart’soutstanding work ofart, Mazowsze alsopresents otherPolish andinternationalreligious songsduring the concert.

Requiem in D minor2.K. 626, composed in1791, is one of thegreatest sacredpieces by Mozart. Itis also his lastcomposition, whichhe left unfinished. Itis presented inconcertby Mazowsze’ssoloists, ballet, andorchestra. There isalso a collection ofLenten songs, whichincludes the oldestsongs of that kind,like Rozmyślajmydziś [Let UsReflect Today],or Krzyżu Święty [Oh Holy Cross], andmore contemporary

works, such as Ach,mój Jezu [Ah, MyJesus], or Ogrodzieoliwny [Oh OliveGarden].

Stabat Mater, an3.outstanding work byGiovanni BattistaPergolesi, wascomposed shortlybefore his death atthe age of 25. Ittells about theMother of God’ssuffering afterChrist’s crucifixion.The lyrics werewritten by Jacoponeda Todi in the

13th century.It is performedby Mazowsze duringthe liturgy of themass during Lent.

Stanisław4.Moniuszko’s ThirdLitany of OstraBrama is performedby Mazowsze’ssoloists, ballet, andorchestra.Moniuszkocomposed fourlitanies. They arecalled Litanies of

Ostra Brama,because they werespecifically meantto be recited in theOstra Brama chapel.The litany’s poeticform dates back to

the 16th century. Itis made up of KyrieEleison petitions,supplicatorypetitions to the HolyMother, and AgnusDei petitions.

ChristmasCarols andSongsA concert of the mostbeautiful Christmas carolsand songs.

Christmas Carols and songs,performed by Mazowsze’ssoloists, ballet, andorchestra, are traditionallyinterpreted. It is anemotional rendering of themost popular carols, as wellas an opportunity to hear thelesser-known pieces, suchas Serca ludzkie sięradują [HeartsAre Rejoicing], or Święta

Panienka [Our Holy Lady].Though they all pertain tothe same event, they differsubstantially. In some, thelistener can hear the rhythmof mazur or oberek, in others– of polonaise. Most are filledwith joy, but some arewistful.

Fantasy onPoland – Polishnational dancesThe title of our educationalperformance for childrenrefers to Frederic Chopin’swork - Fantasy on PolishAirs in A major, Op. 13 –composed when he waseighteen. In our theatricalfantasy, the protagonists arechildren, who in a dynamic,staged lesson learn aboutPolish national dances –oberek, mazurek, kujawiak,polonaise, and krakowiak.The guide is a very specialteacher – a virtuoso violinist.In each scene, the viewerscan hear not only thespecific dances, but alsosome instrumental and vocal

works of Polish composers,for whom our native folkloreserved as creativeinspiration. The programincludes works by Ogiński,Chopin, and Wieniawski. Theaction of the theatricalperformance will firsttransport the audience to thetime of Chopin’s childhood.After that they will dance thekujawiak with Jan Kiepura,and visit the sanctuary inŚwięta Lipka. They will alsobe guests in the house oflittle Janek. With his mother,a pianist, he will lead theaudience into the magicalworld of music and dance.What is most important,though, is that Polishnational dances will bepresented by Mazowsze’sfantastic ballet andorchestra.

Written and directed byZbigniew KułagowskiMusic director: JacekBonieckiChoreography: ElwiraKamińska, ZbigniewKiliński, Wioletta Milczuk,Eugeniusz Papliński,Witold ZapałaCast:

Janek’s mother: JoannaRóżewska/ the pianoThe teacher: KamilaWąsik-Janiak/ the violin

The PilgrimThe main character of theperformance isa wanderer, the titularPilgrim. In a pilgrimage,the dominant emotion isloneliness. In this Pilgrim'scase, the lonelinesspertains to two aspects.On the one hand, thewanderer's situation isconnected with his exilefrom his homeland – hebecomes uprooted. On theother, alienation is thefeeling whichaccompanies romanticheroes. As a romantichero, the Pilgrim isexceptionally sensitive. Itis visible in individualscenes in the show – forinstance during the greatball where he meets hisyoung love, during thePilgrim's fervent prayer inthe Chapel of the Gate ofDawn in Vilnius, in

Konrad's cell, as well asduring his exile from hiscountry and the exoticjourney across Crimea.Confronted with all thesenew spaces, he adopts theattitude of a child – he isintrigued, interested, andenraptured by everything.He cannot, however, freehimself from his longingfor his lost homeland. Heundergoes a real journeywithin himself. The storyis constructed aroundseveral chosen poeticworks by AdamMickiewicz. It iscomplemented by thecontinuouslyrediscovered, exceptionalstage and cantata musicby Stanisław Moniuszko.The performance will bepresented by the actors,soloists, choir, ballet, andorchestra of Mazowsze.