On April 11, 2025, in Italy, the one-act opera Jezioro Popiołów (Lake of Ashes) by Beniamin Baczewski will have its world premiere. The opera was created as part of the International Composition Competition "Project Butterfly," which is a collaboration between three European institutions: the Teatro Comunale di Modena (Italy), Opera Box in Helsinki (Finland), and the Baltic Opera in Gdańsk (Poland). The opera will be performed in Helsinki on May 2 and 3, and in Gdańsk on May 31 and June 1.
The project, which focuses on sustainable development and raising environmental awareness, also aims to engage the younger generation in this important issue. Baczewski’s opera will be performed alongside one-act operas from composers of partner countries: Hengitä (Breathe) by Finnish composer Paavo Korpijaakko, and Perla di Speranza (Pearl of Hope) by Italian composer Marco Attura. Each opera is inspired by one of the elements: Earth (Italy), Air (Finland), and Water (Poland). The libretti for the operas were based on stories written by high school students.
The libretto for Jezioro Popiołów is based on a story created by students from the VI High School in Gdańsk, and was developed by Jagoda Kościk (Jagoda Jagson). Baczewski presents a post-apocalyptic vision of a world where a once vibrant lake has been poisoned by human activity, blending mythological elements with current ecological issues. Ultimately, good prevails, conveying the message that there is still a chance to reverse the negative effects of human actions. In this work, inspired by the element of water, the composer uses delicate nuances in the sound of a chamber orchestra and an unconventional instrumental setup.
Beniamin Baczewski is not the youngest Polish composer whose opera will be premiered abroad, but he is certainly one of the youngest.
Not only did Baczewski create the score for Jezioro Popiołów, but he also took part in both live and online meetings with the international team involved in the "Butterfly" project. These included week-long residencies in Gdańsk and Modena, where various stages of the production were discussed, with a particular focus on ensuring the production adhered to the principles of sustainable development.
Media patronage: Polish Music Information Centre POLMIC
Project website: https://projectbutterfly.eu/
