The "1825–1965–2025" Jubilee at the Grand Theatre – National Opera and the Main Opera Premiere!

On May 27, 2025, the management of the Grand Theatre – National Opera unveiled ambitious plans for a special jubilee season titled "1825–1965–2025": 200 years ago, the foundation stone for the Grand Theatre was laid, and 60 years ago, the building was reopened after its post-war reconstruction. On the 80th anniversary of the beginning of Warsaw’s post-war reconstruction, and the anniversary of the theatre’s reopening in 1965, the premiere of Cezary Duchnowski’s opera Najlepsze miasto świata (The Best City in the World) will take place, with a libretto by Beniamin Bukowski.

The project was initiated by art historian Jarosław Trybuś, who also serves as the project director, and composer Jerzy Kornowicz, director of the "Warsaw Autumn" International Festival of Contemporary Music. The opera’s premiere will also open the 68th edition of the Festival.

The libretto is based on the book by Grzegorz Piątek about the rebuilding of Warsaw. Following a competition, the task of staging the work on the country’s main opera stage was entrusted to director Barbara Wiśniewska. The production is also supported by Sinfonia Varsovia, which will perform Duchnowski’s score under the baton of Bassem Akiki.

Starring in the leading roles will be, among others, Joanna Freszel and Agata Zubel. The set design will be created by Natalia Kitamikado, with costumes by Emil Wysocki.

As Jarosław Trybuś emphasizes: "In the director’s vision, all stage technologies available at the opera play a significant role – this is a tribute to the building itself – the last work of Bohdan Pniewski."

The opera will be one of 288 events in the 2025/26 season, and one of four opera premieres. The season will feature both new, eagerly awaited productions and revivals of works that have become a lasting part of the national stage’s repertoire. Among them will be pieces deeply important to Polish musical culture: Weinberg’s profoundly moving The Passenger, Moniuszko’s masterpiece Halka, and the neo-noir ballet Blade Runner by Przemysław Zych, choreographed by Robert Bondara – a performance that raises questions relevant not only to our present but also to the future.

In addition, there will be Open House Days, a Jubilee Concert, numerous historical and artistic exhibitions, and special projects that will offer a broader audience the chance to explore the inner workings of this iconic building.

Ticket sales for the 2025/26 season will begin on June 10 at 11:00 a.m. On that day, audiences will be able to purchase tickets at a special 21% discount.

Programme available at the Theatre's website: https://teatrwielki.pl/repertuar/sezon-2025/26/