BALTIC OPERA FESTIVAL

 Lech Napierala and Ryan Speedo Green

It was quite the gala event at The Kosciuszko Foundation Monday night introducing the Baltic Opera Festival which will take place the first week in July in Gdansk and Sopor. Those fortunate enough to travel to Poland will get to experience the first two operas of Wagner's Ring Cycle. A lucky visitor could get to experience Das Rheingold (strangely described as "a children's opera") on July 1st and Die Walküre on July 2nd--both at the Sopor location and sung in Polish, on the 150th anniversary of the premiere of Wagner's magnificent opus.

Additionally, one could also enjoy a staged performance of Joseph Beers' Polish Wedding, a tribute to to Penderecki, and a recital by German soprano Anett Fritsch. What a way to begin a new festival!

Guests for this very special event were seated in the gorgeous second floor salon of The Kosciuszko Foundation where we have enjoyed so many thrilling musical events, all under the watchful eye of a portrait of the very handsome Thaddeus Kosciuzko himself, a hero of the American Revolution.

There were a lot of speeches and a warm welcome but our interest was in the singing. It was probably no accident that most of the singers belonged to the cast of The Metropolitan Opera's production of Tristan and Isolde and we got to enjoy them "up close and personal" as we most enjoy. Perhaps it was their night off!

We never have an opportunity to be that close to such renowned singers with the exception of Ryan Speedo Green. We have been writing about this exceptional bass-baritone since 2012--witnessing his rapid rise to stardom and loving every step of the way as he made his way through the Lindemann Program and kept winning competitions. On this occasion about which we are writing, Mr. Green delighted us with "Wotan's Farewell". If we ever get over our total devotion to James Morris' take on the role, it will be Mr. Ryan's. Currently at The Met singing King Marke, you are hereby urged, Dear Reader, to make an acquaintance with this super star.

The rest of the Tristan and Isolde cast also gave remarkable performances, accompanied by Lech Napierala. Soprano Lise Davidsen (portraying Isolde at The Met) is just as phenomenal as we heard she was. Aside from the gorgeous instrument and sensitive interpretation, we were most impressed by the way she scaled her voice to the room. She sang a pair of songs from Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder--"Der Engel" and "Stehe Still!"

Tenor Michael Spyres ( The Met's Tristan) sang "Im Treibhaus", mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova (The Met's Brangäne) performed “Schmerzen", and Tomasz Konieczny  (The Met's Kurvenal) sang  "Traume".

We also got to hear an excerpt from the aforementioned Polish Wedding --Monika Radecka and Piotr Buszewski  performed the  "Duet of Jadzia and Bolesław" (presumably the. couple getting married). If the entire opera is as good as the duet, it must be a hit!

As a final vocal treat we got to hear Aleksandra Kurzak perform “Vissi d’arte” from Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca. Having thrown herself into the role, we got a fine taste of drama as well as some mighty fine vocalism.

There were also some piano solos rounding out a very generous program, one worthy of a festival! As is common at The Kosciuszko Foundation, the evening ended with a reception where we enjoyed some pierogi and wine. We left feeling nourished body and soul.

© meche kroop