The first Pole to conduct at the Paris Opéra?
mainWe are given to understand that when Łukasz Borowicz took over the latest performance of Les Huguenots at the Bastille he became the first Polish conductor in the history of the Opéra de Paqris.
Borowicz, 41, was hired on the recommendation of the German soprano Diana Damrau, who withdrew from the production before rehearsals began.
Did Marek Janowski never conduct at the Opéra during his years in Paris?
He famously left a production at Garnier (end of the 80s – was it Fliegende Holländer?) during rehearsals, due to the orchestra’s poor professionalism. Can’t remember if it was his first (and last) invitation…
Janowski counts as a German conductor born in Warsaw.
Although Janowski’s father was Polish, he considers himself as German. I have heard him at the Opéra (Garnier, of course) in June 1974, when he replaced Josef Krips in the new Ponnelle production of Cosi fan tutte. Krips died four months later. Having heard his last and magical performance, on June 8th, I immediately bought a ticket for the next one – and heard Janowski instead.
Yes Janowski conducted many times in Paris from “Cosi fan tutte” (1974) to “Tristan” (1985). Never in Bastille though, strangely enough for he was for some time about to become the first musical director there in 1989. Politics…
(Also, yes ! Born in Warsaw, he sees himself as German, very much so. Will turn 80 in 3,5 monthes by the way)
Borowicz is a really talented and wonderful conductor.
At least Jacek Kasprzyk conducted some Zauberflöten in 1986…
It was at the Opéra-Comique.
Of course, but then the Opera Comique was the second house of the Paris Opera. This situation stoped when Opera Bastille opened – then the Palais Garnier became the “second house”.