National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble Mazowsze https://www.mazowsze.waw.pl/en/repertoire/the-ensembles-repertoir/4,The-ensembles-repertoire.html 2021-10-02, 08:29
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
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So far, we have performed for over eighteen million people. We have travelled 1.4 million miles (2.3 million SacredSacred MusicMusic ChristmasChristmas CarolsCarols andand SongsSongs kilometers) and visited 189 places in Poland and 50 countries abroad. Promoting the national songs and dances of Poland, we have FantasyFantasy onon PolandPoland –– PolishPolish TheThe Pilgrim;Pilgrim; photophoto PiotrPiotr NationalNational Dances;Dances; photo:photo: Pasieczny/Pasieczny/ FOTOBUENOFOTOBUENO gained popularity and the MonikaMonika SłęckaSłęcka title ofAmbassador of Polish Culture.
Mazowsze is one of the world’s biggest artistic ensembles, drawing from an abundance of our national dances, songs, chants, and traditions. At our roots there are sources which emphasize that in these changing times, we remain who we are. Because of the vast richness of our repertoire, Mazowsze is frequently referred to as a national ensemble. For thousands of viewers abroad, Mazowsze’s concerts were their first contact with Polish culture. “If that is the face of Poland, then long live Poland!” – that is what a Swiss paper “Gazette de Lausanne” wrote about the ensemble. Jerzy Waldorff called Mazowsze the crown jewel of the Republic of Poland.
Christmas Carols and songs, performed by Mazowsze’s soloists, ballet, and orchestra, are traditionally interpreted. It is an emotional rendering of the most popular carols, as well as an opportunity to hear the lesser-known pieces, such as Serca ludzkie się radują [Hearts Are Rejoicing], or Święta Panienka [Our Holy Lady]. Though they all pertain to the same event, they differ substantially. In some, the listener can hear the rhythm of mazur or oberek, in others – of polonaise. Most are filled with joy, but some are wistful.
Our new concert proposals
The Kaleidoscope of Polish Colors
A full performance concert comprised of Polish songs as well as national and regional dances.
Colors changing as in a kaleidoscope, music bringing unforgettable emotions, dancing and singing, singing and dancing – the concert program includes the most popular songs and the most captivating choreographies from the ensemble’s repertoire (prepared by Elwira Kamińska, Eugeniusz Papliński, but mainly by Witold Zapała). The audience can also admire the beautiful costumes from twenty different ethnographic regions of Poland. In the whirlpool of colors there will be national dances such as polonaise, krakowiak, oberek, mazur, and kujawiak, as well as regional dances accompanied by the characteristic, original chants.
“If that is the face of Poland, then long live Poland!” (ʺGazette de Lausanne”, Switzerland)
Cud mniemany czyli Krakowiacy i Górale [A Supposed Miracle, or Cracovians and Highlanders]
Directed by Andrzej Strzelecki. A musical performance based on Wojciech Bogusławski’s opera.
This is the first Polish opera of the Enlightenment period, with Jan Stefani’s music and Wojciech Bogusławski’s libretto. Directed by Andrzej Strzelecki, it was staged by Mazowsze for the ensemble’s 65th anniversary. In Mazowsze’s interpretation, it is a humorous and moving story about love, friendship and conflict, but most importantly about reconciliation and forgiveness.
Colorful regional costumes, beautiful music, the actors’ brilliant skills (especially in their use of regional dialects) as well as a generous dose of humor – all these features combined result in a standing ovation at the end of each performance. This is where the past connects with the present.
Mazowsze in an alternative artistic form – it’s a must- see!
Directed by: Andrzej Strzelecki Adapted by: Andrzej Strzelecki Choreographer: Zofia Rudnicka Set decorator: Tatiana Kwiatkowska Musical director: Jacek Boniecki Assistant director: Zdzisław Kordyjalik Assistant choreographer: Piotr Zalipski
The Magical Journey – All of Our Beautiful Poland
Directed by Zbigniew Kułagowski. An educational performance for children.
The magical world of contemporary theater invites the youngest viewers to an amazing journey!
The fictional story features three main characters – little Agnieszka, her older brother Tomek, and Mr. Kajetan, the mysterious restorer of old folk musical instruments. They will take you for a surprising journey full of unexpected adventures. Together with them, you will learn about unusual folk handicraft such as “leluja” – a kind of artistic cut-outs from the region of Kurpie, intricately decorated huge Easter palms, or a hand- painted dowry chest from Wilamowice. You will get to know some characteristic folk dances, costumes, customs, and traditions. You will find out about traditional folk instruments (“burczybas”, “diabelskie skrzypce” [devil’s violin], and “kozioł weselny”). The journey will take you to eight fascinating, colorful regions: Mazowsze (Wilanów), Kurpie, Kaszuby, Wielkopolskę (Szamotuły), Śląsk (Wilamowice and Rozbark), Spisz (Jurgów), and Lubelszczyzna (Krzczonów).
The colorful world young viewers experience fascinates them, and teaches them to respect Polish traditions of folk culture. Each of the visited regions is illustrated with impressive regional dance presentations, and the costumes worn by dancers are real works of folk art. The individual parts of the performance are linked by computer animations, which present characteristic regional costumes in a close- up, with their ornaments and embroidery. The animations are accompanied by musical themes characteristic of the regions presented.
This unusual theatrical performance is presented by the ballet and orchestra of the National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble Mazowsze, and the actors.
Written and directed by: Zbigniew Kułagowski Musical director and arranger: Krystian Segda Choreography supervision: Wioletta Milczuk Graphic animation: Dawid Kozłowski Film director and editor: Tomasz Kurlej Photographs: Jan Drzewiecki
Cast: the ballet and orchestra of the National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble Mazowsze Director: Jacek Boniecki / Andrzej Borzym Jr Singer: Paulina Patora / Klaudia Pawlikowska / Katarzyna Sajewiec Violinist: Jędrzej Nalaskowski / Michał Ostrowski
Actors: Mr. Kajetan: Piotr Macalak / Jacek Leptacz Agnieszka: Julia Dominiak / Anna Kowalczyk Tomek: Paweł Klociński / Mateusz Zawada
The Land of Dreams – national dances
Directed by Roberto Skolmowski. An educational performance for children.
An educational performance In the land of dreams everything is possible... A group of children visit the home of Mazowsze – the place where the dreams of the ensemble’s first dancers and founders came true. During their visit, the children begin dreaming about art. In their imagination they see themselves as dancers and musicians. They get to know the work of an artist and find out what the stage is all about.
In accordance with the director Roberto Skolmowski’s vision, the story aims to show the beauty and richness of Polish national dances. It is acquired through costumes, music, and advanced multimedia projection techniques. Staged and directed by: Roberto Skolmowski Multimedia design and film: Wojciech Hejno Choreography supervision: Wioletta Milczuk Photography: Jan Drzewiecki On stage: the ballet and the orchestra of the National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble Mazowsze Conducted by: Jacek Boniecki / Andrzej Borzym Jr Narrated by: Klara Rejnowicz
Romanca à la kujawiak
Directed by Zbigniew Kułagowski
The new proposal in the ensemble’s repertoire is addressed to young people. The strength of the performance lies in its attractive theatrical form of fiction. The story is based on blossoming romantic feelings between two young people – a high school senior and a university student. Following their accidental meeting, their amusing romantic experiences, and their fascination with music and dance, the audience is taken on a journey through the world of national dances of Poland, such as polonaise, mazur, kujawiak, oberek, and krakowiak. Educational values have been discreetly incorporated within the dynamic story, whose grand finale is the magnificent polonaise danced at the senior prom. The audience learns the history and form of the five Polish national dances by witnessing staged rehearsals of a dance ensemble and their striking presentations by the ballet and the orchestra of the National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble Mazowsze.
Written and directed by Zbigniew Kułagowski Music director Jacek Boniecki Choreography Elwira Kamińska, Zbigniew Kiliński, Wioletta Milczuk, Eugeniusz Papliński, Witold Zapała Lighting Łukasz Różewicz Cast: Paulina: Paulina Patora Mateusz: Mateusz Zawada Dance instructor: Marcin Mierzejewski The Professor: Zdzisław Kordyjalik Ms. W.: Wioletta Milczuk High School Principal: Zdzisław Kordyjalik The Ballet and the Orchestra of the National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble Mazowsze
Polish Bethlehem
Directed by Zbigniew Kułagowski
In the unusual double jubilee year – the 100th Anniversary of Regaining Independence by Poland and the 70th Anniversary of Mazowsze – the ensemble undertakes a new project. We are preparing an unusual performance, based on Lucjan Rydel’s dramatic play Betlejem polskie [Polish Bethlehem]. About 150 people are taking part in our performance – actors, solo singers, as well as ballet, choir, and orchestra artists.
In Rydel’s Polish Bethlehem the events take place in three time periods – present day Poland, our history, and biblical times. The events are written into the Polish landscape and historical reality – they revive the past. Jesus is born in the midst of the Polish winter, and Bethlehem lies somewhere in Poland – maybe in Małopolska, maybe in Kaszuby. King Herod of the Bible is not only the ruler of ancient Palestine, but Poland’s oppressor and Russificator; the Three Kings are our historic rulers – Casimir the Great, Władysław Jagiełło, and John III Sobieski.
The makers of the performance, while keeping balance between the sacred and universal aspects, delve a little bit outside of the screenplay’s scope, as is the theatrical tradition. They tie the story to the 100th anniversary of regaining independence by Poland, the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, and the dramatic events of December 1970, which foretold another spurt for independence in Poland in the ‘80s.
Tying the story to these magnificent events in our history, we aim not only to create a patriotic picture of our national fates, but most of all a humorous performance full of dance and song, with the choirs of angels, the Holy Family, and also with the most beautiful Christmas songs and carols.
The premiere performance, crowning the jubilee year, is planned for December 7, 2018.
Stage production: Lucjan Rydel – Polish Bethlehem Adapted and directed by: Zbigniew Kułagowski Music supervisor: Jacek Boniecki Music and arrangements: Krystian Segda Choreography: Wioletta Milczuk Choreographic consultant: Zbigniew Czapski-Kłoda Vocal supervisor: Mirosław Ziomek Costumes: Zofia de Ines, Mira Zimińska-Sygietyńska, Rafał Orłowski Set decorator: Tadeusz Smolicki Visuals: Dawid Kozłowski Lighting design: Łukasz Różewicz Sound design: Piotr Mastalerski Assistant set decorator: Małgorzata Haberska Assistant director: Piotr Borek
Folk Songs
The ensemble’s most beautiful songs in concert.
The concert performed by Mazowsze’s soloists, ballet, and orchestra presents the richness of Polish national folk songs, which have a permanent place in the ensemble’s repertoire. Most of them were composed by Tadeusz Sygietyński, while Mira Zimińska-Sygietyńska adapted the traditional folk lyrics.
During the concert, the audiences can enjoy popular songs, often sung at home, such as Kukułeczka [Cuckoo], Fur man [The Carter], and Cyt, cyt [Shh, Shh]. The concert also offers an opportunity to discover the lesser-known songs from the ensemble’s repertoire, e.g. Szyszki [Pine Cones], Trudno [Hard Luck], or Ogarek [Candle Stub].
Patriotic Songs
A concert of songs, which over the years, accompanied Polish people during difficult times and kept their spirits up.
The concert performed by Mazowsze’s soloists, ballet, and orchestra includes songs which, over the years, accompanied Polish people and kept their spirits up. These are songs which have been an important element of Polish national identity, but we would also like to reflect up songs that used to be sung in Polish homes.
In the ensemble’s song collection we can find both legionary and cavalry songs, such as O mój rozmarynie [Oh My Rosemary], Legiony [The Legions], or Bywaj dziewczę zdrowe [Fare Thee Well, My Girl], and army songs (often called soldier songs), e.g. Czerwone maki na Monte Cassino [Red Poppies on Monte Cassino], or Serce w plecaku [Heart in a Backpack].
Mazowsze’s concert of Patriotic Songs adds to the celebrations of the 100th Anniversary of Regaining Independence by Poland, as well as other events of patriotic nature.
Sacred Music
Mazowsze’s repertoire always features Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Requiem, Battista Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, Stanisław Moniuszko’s III. Litania Ostrobramska [Third Litany of Ostra Brama], and other Polish and international religious pieces.
1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Coronation Mass is performed by Mazowsze’s soloists, ballet, and orchestra. Mozart’s Coronation Mass – Mass No. 15 in C major K. 317 – was composed for the Salzburg cathedral, supposedly for Easter. Apart from the presentation of Mozart’s outstanding work of art, Mazowsze also presents other Polish and international religious songs during the concert.
2. Requiem in D minor K. 626, composed in 1791, is one of the greatest sacred pieces by Mozart. It is also his last composition, which he left unfinished. It is presented in concert by Mazowsze’s soloists, ballet, and orchestra. There is also a collection of Lenten songs, which includes the oldest songs of that kind, like Rozmyślajmy dziś [Let Us Reflect Today], or Krzyżu Święty [O h Holy Cross], and more contemporary works, such as Ach, mój Jezu [Ah, My Jesus], or Ogrodzie oliwny [Oh Olive Garden].
3. Stabat Mater, an outstanding work by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, was composed shortly before his death at the age of 25. It tells about the Mother of God’s suffering after Christ’s crucifixion. The lyrics were written by Jacopone da Todi in the
13th century. It is performed by Mazowsze during the liturgy of the mass during Lent.
4. Stanisław Moniuszko’s Third Litany of Ostra Brama is performed by Mazowsze’s soloists, ballet, and orchestra. Moniuszko composed four litanies. They are called Litanies of Ostra Brama, because they were specifically meant to be recited in the Ostra Brama chapel. The litany’s poetic form dates back to
the 16th century. It is made up of Kyrie Eleison petitions, supplicatory petitions to the Holy Mother, and Agnus Dei petitions.
Christmas Carols and Songs
A concert of the most beautiful Christmas carols and songs.
Christmas Carols and songs, performed by Mazowsze’s soloists, ballet, and orchestra, are traditionally interpreted. It is an emotional rendering of the most popular carols, as well as an opportunity to hear the lesser-known pieces, such as Serca ludzkie się radują [Hearts Are Rejoicing], or Święta Panienka [Our Holy Lady]. Though they all pertain to the same event, they differ substantially. In some, the listener can hear the rhythm of mazur or oberek, in others – of polonaise. Most are filled with joy, but some are wistful.
Fantasy on Poland – Polish national dances
The title of our educational performance for children refers to Frederic Chopin’s work - Fantasy on Polish Airs in A major, Op. 13 – composed when he was eighteen. In our theatrical fantasy, the protagonists are children, who in a dynamic, staged lesson learn about Polish national dances – oberek, mazurek, kujawiak, polonaise, and krakowiak. The guide is a very special teacher – a virtuoso violinist. In each scene, the viewers can hear not only the specific dances, but also some instrumental and vocal works of Polish composers, for whom our native folklore served as creative inspiration. The program includes works by Ogiński, Chopin, and Wieniawski. The action of the theatrical performance will first transport the audience to the time of Chopin’s childhood. After that they will dance the kujawiak with Jan Kiepura, and visit the sanctuary in Święta Lipka. They will also be guests in the house of little Janek. With his mother, a pianist, he will lead the audience into the magical world of music and dance. What is most important, though, is that Polish national dances will be presented by Mazowsze’s fantastic ballet and orchestra.
Written and directed by Zbigniew Kułagowski Music director: Jacek Boniecki Choreography: Elwira Kamińska, Zbigniew Kiliński, Wioletta Milczuk, Eugeniusz Papliński, Witold Zapała Cast: Janek’s mother: Joanna Różewska/ the piano The teacher: Kamila Wąsik-Janiak/ the violin
The Pilgrim
The main character of the performance is a wanderer, the titular Pilgrim. In a pilgrimage, the dominant emotion is loneliness. In this Pilgrim's case, the loneliness pertains to two aspects. On the one hand, the wanderer's situation is connected with his exile from his homeland – he becomes uprooted. On the other, alienation is the feeling which accompanies romantic heroes. As a romantic hero, the Pilgrim is exceptionally sensitive. It is visible in individual scenes in the show – for instance during the great ball where he meets his young love, during the Pilgrim's fervent prayer in the Chapel of the Gate of Dawn in Vilnius, in Konrad's cell, as well as during his exile from his country and the exotic journey across Crimea. Confronted with all these new spaces, he adopts the attitude of a child – he is intrigued, interested, and enraptured by everything. He cannot, however, free himself from his longing for his lost homeland. He undergoes a real journey within himself. The story is constructed around several chosen poetic works by Adam Mickiewicz. It is complemented by the continuously rediscovered, exceptional stage and cantata music by Stanisław Moniuszko. The performance will be presented by the actors, soloists, choir, ballet, and orchestra of Mazowsze.