operaOK!
OperaOK! is a series of premiere baroque video installations and classical operas prepared during this period of lockdown. Regarding the current situation in the world (self-isolation, only online contact), resulting from restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Warszawska Opera Kameralna starts the new project operaOK! and creates a new artistic quality available online.
Ten musical works from the 17th and 18th centuries – starting from L’Orfeo (1607) by C. Monteverdi, through Dido and Enea (1689) by H. Purcell or Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno/The Triumph of Time and Disillusion (1707) by G. F. Händel, Castor and Pollux (1754) J.-P. Rameau and Don Giovanni (1787) by W. A. Mozart – will be presented in creative exemplification that is possible to be realised at this time. This means that the components of the staging (sound recordings, films, stage design elements) are created completely online and the individual elements will not be combined until the final montage.
Being aware of the difficulties that are associated with the production of one single title at the present time, we decided to create a cycle in such a way to show you a variety of staging and interpretation possibilities. Each title is shortened to the minimum necessary (30 minutes) and the abridgements are determined by: time, manner of performance (not every musical fragment is adapted for online performance) and coherence of artistic expression – not interfering with the musical notation prepared by soloists, MACV instrumentalists, WCO Vocal Ensemble under the attentive musical direction of Marcin Sompoliński.
We decided to take on the artistic risk, since we do not want to stand idly by. The gravity of the situation, the scale of the virus spreading and most strongly affecting the country where the opera was born – Italy, led us to some form of response to the reality. And since we still have to offer our imagination, workshop, courage and the need to create that have not yet been taken away from us, we want to bear witness to what is possible here and now in the common communication and experience of art.
When discussing this project, there has appeared one phrase “Born by heart, made in home” (copyright by Marcin Stefaniuk, MACV inspector). It so perfectly represents what we are doing now. Hoping that creativity in the real world is still within our reach, for now we invite you to meet the baroque opera in the virtual world.
Tomasz Cyz
curator of the cycle operaOK!
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The Warszawska Opera Kameralna with its online artistic activities meets your expectations and our desire to share passion and commitment resulting from the need of the heart. At the same time, we are waiting for the moment when we will be able to welcome you again in our Theatres: Warszawska Opera Kameralna al. Solidarności 76b and Basen Artystyczny Stage ul. Marii Konopnickiej 6. We would like to remind you that the purchase of tickets at our box offices or via online for our stationary events will be available after the business restoration at the premises.