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Aeschylus' Trilogy in Agata Zubel's Sound Theatre

Chor Polskiego RadiaThe dramopera Oresteia by Agata Zubel, one of the most recognized and respected Polish composers, will be available online on 6 February 2021 at 7.30 p.m. in the concert version performed by the Polish Radio Choir featuring, among others, Danuta Stenka, Anna Zawisza, Michał Sławecki and Tomasz Piluchowski. The concert will be broadcast on the YouTube channel and on the Facebook page of the Polish Radio Choir.

Oresteia is a combination of two genres – drama and opera. The libretto by Maja Kleczewska is based on Maciej Słomczyński's translation of the Aeschylus' trilogy. The work was commissioned by the Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera in Warsaw in 2011. The Oresteian Trylogy is the only surviving example of a complete ancient trilogy. For centuries, people have drawn upon the myth of Orestes, son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, who killed his mother and her lover to avenge his murdered father. It is a raw and shocking tale about the tragic curse that afflicts the Pelopides, in which murder after murder befalls consecutive generations and there is no end to the settling of accounts: “Death here – death there, he who killed must pay with blood.” The final part of the trilogy shows the madness of Orestes as he is pursued by the Furies and finally a court in which gods also take part and break the cycle of revenge and bloodshed.

Agata Zubel poses fundamental questions about moral laws, punishment, justice, and the chain of evil. However, these questions remain unanswered. The dramatic choices of Clytemnestra (act I) and Orestes (act II) are timeless. They are embedded in ancient history, and at the same time extremely contemporary, commented on by other characters and a choir in various roles: an ancient commentator, mourning victims, raging Furies, noisy crowd and a medium creating "information overload". Apart from the choir, percussion instruments and electronics play a leading role in the score. Both acting parts – of Queen Clytemnestra and her son Orestes – are performed by the actress of the National Theater Danuta Stenka. Anna Zawisza (soprano) plays the part of Kassandra, Michał Sławecki (countertenor) the part of Apollo, and Tomasz Piluchowski (tenor) the part of Athena. Arkadiusz Kątny performs the electronics. The artists are led by Szymon Bywalec. Maria Piotrowska-Bogalecka is responsible for preparing the choir.

Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport from the Culture Promotion Fund under the "Music" programme operated by the Institute of Music and Dance.