An opera that gives voice to Lemko culture will once again be heard live. After its Cracow premiere, Hołos by Daria Kuziak, directed by Oksana Terefenko-Horoszczak, will be performed on 22 November 2025 in Warsaw (Polish History Museum) and on 1 February 2026 in Wrocław. All performances will offer an excellent opportunity to discover Lemko music and art.
Hołos is a fairy-tale story about two sisters, Hancia and Marysia. The leading roles are performed by renowned singers: Justyna Bluj, associated among others with the Polish National Opera, and Aleksandra Malisz, a long-time soloist of the Wrocław Opera. The opera soloists will perform in the white voice style.
The production will also feature the Polish Radio Orchestra, the Lemko Song and Dance Ensemble “Kyczera” from Legnica conducted by Jakub Przybycien, as well as the Artistic Ensemble of the Rozbark Theatre from Bytom.
The story is narrated in the Lemko language. The narration, prepared for all performances, was recorded by Igor Herbut, a respected musician and composer of Lemko origin. The entire production is bilingual, making it accessible to audiences unfamiliar with Lemko.
“Hołos is a truly exceptional project,” emphasizes composer Daria Kuziak. “It is an event that reaches into the roots of Lemko culture while also looking toward the future, creating a bridge between tradition and modernity. I wanted to combine the sound of a Lemko folk band with a chamber orchestra, and classical singing with the white voice technique. This unique combination is like a strong thread connecting the past with what lies ahead. In the second phase of work on the opera, we also developed the idea of an electronic layer using recordings of Orthodox liturgy and excerpts from letters sent by Lemkos during Operation Vistula to their relatives in the United States. Electronics brought a new energy to the project.”
The scenography and costumes for the production were designed by Monika Ika Wójcik, with styling enriched by elements of traditional Lemko attire.
Organizer: Lemko Song and Dance Ensemble “Kyczera”. Co-funded by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund—a state-purpose fund—under the “Music” program implemented by the National Institute of Music and Dance.
Media patronage: Polish Music Information Centre POLMIC
Additional information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1673525573263240
