WHERE TO GO - 02.2008

The Grand Theater (www.teatrwielki.pl) invites you to many interesting opera and ballet performances in February. Let us choose something, for instance, on the 5th of February: Ballet des Nations ' a performance by Balet Dworski, 'Cracovia Danza', the only dance group in Poland which cultivates historic courtly traditions combined with choreographed dance to ancient music. On the 6th of February, it is worth going to see Stanisław Moniuszko's 'Straszny dwór' ('The Haunted Manor'), immortal in the history of Polish opera, if not just for the wonderful mazura which is danced and sung by Varsovian artists. The 13th of February, there will be a Japanese evening, which will certainly be interesting. On the 17th of February, there is a meeting with R. Wilson, the great theater creator, who produced 'Faust' in the Warsaw theater. On the 29th of February, the premiere of 'Faust' by Charles Gounod will take place. The entire production is very international. Jose Luis Sola plays the title role.

Now, since we are on the subject of opera, it is time to say a few words about the Warsaw Chamber Opera (WOK), which specializes in presenting all of W. A. Mozartís operas. However, in February, it will be the premiere of Bernadetta Matuszczakís contemporary opera 'Crime and Punishment' that will take place. It is based, of course, on Fyodor Dostoyevskyís matchless prose. WOK (www.operakameralna.pl) guarantees first-rate artistic performances, so nobody who likes opera will have to be persuaded to buy tickets for 'Crime and Punishment' presented on the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th and 9th of February.

The National Philharmonic (www. filharmonia. pl) invites you to a series of concerts which will be performed, for the most part, by musicians and the choir of the Warsaw Philharmonic, and which will be directed by various conductors and will include various soloists, and, of course, a varied repertoire. For instance, on the 8th and 9th of February, there will be a concert under the direction of Kazimierz Kord, with a soloist, the excellent pianist Garrick Ohlsson, playing the repertoire of J. Brahms and I. Stravinsky. Then, on the 15th and 16th of February, Yon Pascal Tortelier ' director, Anne Akiko Meyers ' violinist, with a repertoire of A. Panufnik, S. Barber, and M. Musorgski. On the 22nd and 23rd of February, the director of the National Philharmonic, Antoni Wit, will conduct, and J. Jakowicz will play the repertoire of A. Dworak and D. Szostakowicz on the violin. On the 29th of February, there will be a very interesting concert ' 'Heroes and heroines in sacred oratories of Handel,' a concert of ancient music ' arias and duets from the oratories 'Jephta', 'Susanna', 'Solomon' and 'Saul'.

At the National Museum (www.mnw.art.pl), there is an exhibition called 'Wyprawa w dwudziestolecie' ('A trip to the twenties'), which is the first exhibition presenting a cross-section of Polish art from 1918-1939. It is a historical exhibition, which shows, in twelve parts, the main trends in the art deco style. The inter-war twenties (after the First World War and before the Second World War) were a period of dynamism and incredible creative energy. We advise you to check it out yourself. It is worth seeing!

At the Zach ta Gallery (www.zacheta.art. pl) you must see the exhibition of works by the young and already highly-regarded (not only by Poles) Wilhelm Sasnal, which is very popular among Warsawís art lovers. His diverse art (paintings, sculptures, films and photographs) is firmly rooted in the life of the artist and his loved ones. Very interesting!

And now, a bit of lighter entertainment. At the Syrena Theater (www.teatrsyrena.pl), there is a lovely performance of older Polish songs ('Powróćmy, jak za dawnych lat' ' 'Letís go back, like in the old days'), on the 5th and 6th of February, and the well-known 'Opera za trzy grosze' ('Opera for three cents') by Kurt Weill (on the 2nd and the 29th of February).

The Buffo Theater (www.studiobuffo.com.pl) presents the musical 'Romeo and Juliet', based, of course, on the Shakespearean drama (twice, on the 7th and the 8th of February).

At the Roma Theater (www.teatrroma.pl), you can see the last performance of the charming, family-oriented musical, 'Akademia Pana Kleksa', and in March, the premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webberís 'Phantom of the Opera.' This performance is 'the greatest pleasure which can be given to an audience.'

And, finally, you are invited to Torwar, where on the 13th of February the first performance in Warsaw by Jonathan Davies and his friends will take place. Also, on the 18th of February, at Towar, The Cure will perform as part of their European tour. On the 20th of February, at Sala Kongresowa, there will be a concert by Chris Rea. There is definitely something to choose from. We wish you a favorable selection.