Review: DER FREISCHÜTZ at Opera Wroclaw

What a romantic night! Well, this piece is considered the first German Romantic opera after all. The show at the Wroclaw Opera House is easy to watch, even for people not used to the (German) opera. In my opinion it has a lot from a musical and I'm a huge fan of this approach!

If you think opera is not for you, it is too serious and only for connoisseurs, give this show a chance and your life will never be the same again. Cezary Tomaszewski, the director, made of this old story something different. Right from the start, after seeing a hologram inviting to a performance, you'll know thet it wouldn't be a classical puffed up opera. After that it gets better and better. The main concept is to make it lighter and more understandable. Maciej Tomaszewski as a narrator with his great deep voice takes our hand to guide us through what we see. I loved it.

What else?

Music! It was smooth and gentle, easy to dive in.

Choir! Listening to it was like eating nutella dipping your finger straight into a jar. Pure pleasure. Anna Grabowska-Borys, great job as usual.

Details! Mirrors, interaction with audience, falling bird (excellent and funny).

Pictures! Beautiful, monumental, scene is moving not around but up and down.

Lights! I cannot even describe how great work of Jedrzej Jecikowski did, and what kind of atmosphere was made on stage.

Nature! Is one of the actors (we need it in our lives and also in theaters).

Moon! Moon! Moon!

Actors and their voices! Opera Wroclaw has accustomed us to beautiful voices and we were not disappointed this time either. Agata (Aleksandra Kurzak) and Anusia (Hanna Sosnowska-Bill) made a great female duo, Maks (Alec Carlson) was full of life, Samuel (Remigiusz Lukomski) presented a perfect dark character and his transition into a ghost was so creative.

The tracks were vibrant, the song about the vine could be turned into a music video, there was dance, inspiration and vibe.

Last but not least, I really liked the idea of a??a??going to the basement. It's like going deeper into a human soul - and there were some real strong emotions on a display.

I was also afraid of opera in the old days and I know it's not easy to take a first step, but you should do it and see Der Freischütz. There will be no better opportunity to start an adventure with an opera!

Photo: M. Weglarz

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