The Countess

The Countess (Hrabina) is the opera in three acts by the Polish composer Stanisław Moniuszko. The libretto was written by Włodzimierz Wolski (who also authored the libretto of Moniuszko's Halka). The opera was first performed at the Great Theatre, Warsaw on 7 February 1860. Although, the opera is acknowledged as Moniuszko's first fully mature musical composition, the libretto was criticized at first for its use of clichés. Yet the opera became extremely popular, thanks to the splendid music (Moniuszko shows great prowess in many sections, e.g. the polyphonic sextet at the end of Act I) as well as the national subject matter (this was only 3 years before the January Uprising), and, perhaps, also to the incorporation of some popular melodies (like Pojedziemy na łów! in Act III) . Roles Hrabina (The Countess) – soprano the Chorąży – bass Bronia, his granddaughter – soprano Kazimierz – tenor the Podczaszyc – baritone Dzidzi, his nephew – tenor Panna Ewa (Miss Ewa), Hrabina's friend – soprano