Opening on 6 April, the PNB's new programme brings the audience a classic choreography by Conrad Drzewiecki and a brand new piece by Anna Hop. Called Fredriana, the double-bill features ballets inspired by two famous comedies by playwright Aleksander Fredro (1793-1876). Based on The Revenge, The Sarmatian Parable was first staged 40 years ago in Poznań by Conrad Drzewiecki. This very Polish, tongue-in-cheek piece has now been revived by Emil Wesołowski in collaboration with Renata Smukała for the Polish National Ballet and danced by the company's stellar lineup led by Chinara Alizade, Aneta Zbrzeźniak, Vladimir Yaroshenka, Maksim Woitiul, Patryk Walczak and Carlos Martín Pérez. The original sets by Jan Bernaś and costumes by Krzysztof Pankiewicz have been reconstructed by Lilia Ostrouch and Katarzyna Załęcka.
The second part of the programme is Anna Hop’s original take on Fredro’s Husband and Wife, who set the comedy the 1960s with more than a little help from Małgorzata Szabłowska, who designed the sets, and Maciej Zień, who devised the costumes. Taking on the lead roles will be Joanna Drabik and Marta Fiedler as Wife and Marco Esposito and Demeter Kóbor as Husband.
Both ballets use music by Stanisław Moniuszko. The Sarmatian Parable is set to an adaptation of the concert overture The Fairytale, while Husband and Wife is danced to the ballet In the billets and interludes arranged by Wojciech Kostrzewa. Piotr Staniszewski conducts the Orchestra of the Polish National Opera. (pch)
Pictured: Poster by Adam Żebrowski
