Moniuszko's Opera - Flis

After the success of his opera 'Halka', Moniuszko was made director of the National Opera in Warsaw.

In 1858 he travelled to Paris to dedicate time to composition. Legend has it that during a very hot 4 days Moniuszko isolated himself in his hotel room and wrote the whole opera Flis.

The story is set in a town of raftsmen by the Wisla river and revolves around two young lovers who are not allowed to marry because the father of the girl 'Zosia' had previously promised her to another young man 'Jakub' (who is a hairdresser in Warsaw!).

Disillusioned, Franek goes off in search of his long lost brother, only to find that his brother is actually the hairdresser in Warsaw!

The music is full of Polish folk music influenced tunes, prayers and national rhythms including the Kujawiak.

Staged by Director Feliks Tarnawski and conducted by Stephen Ellery this production with the Polish Opera in London, POSK, aims to bring these great works by Moniuszko into the repertorie of opera theatres around the world and is the culmination of 6 years of work during which other operas by Moniuszko have all had their first ever London stagings (Verbum Nobile, Halka, Straszny Dwor, Hrabina and Pariah) at the Polish opera in London, POSK.