Janek is a Polish-language opera in 2 Acts by Władysław Żeleński to a libretto by Ludomił German (1851-1920). It was premiered 4 October 1900 in Lvov.Monatsschrift Für Das Deutsche Geistesleben 1901-p217 " lauft die Premiere der neuen Oper von Zelenski Janek " hervorzuheben . Das Orchester leitet G. Czelansky" The opera makes references to Polish folk tunes but otherwise is in the then current verismo style.Zelenski DaysPWM The most popular aria is Janek's dumka from act 1. Plot Set in the Tatra Mountains in the 18th century. Janek, leader of a band of robbers, arrives wounded at the cottage of the sweet natured Bronka, fiancée of Stach. Jealous of the developing romance between Janek and Bronka, Janek's own girlfriend the wild Marynka urges Stach to violence. plot
Characters Janek - leader of the robbers tenor Marynka - bethrothed to Janek mezzo Bronka - bethrothed to Stach soprano Stach - mountain villager baritone Marek - elderly villager bass
Recording Janek Malgorzata Grzegorzewicz-Rodek, Agnieszka Kuk, Women's Choir of the Henryk Wieniawski Philharmonic in Lublin, I Signori Men's Vocal Ensemble, the Henryk Wieniawski Philharmonic Orchestra in Lublin, Wojciech Rodek 2CD Naxos 2023 References