MEDIATHEK

Requiem for an Icon composed by Katarzyna Głowicka has been commissioned by Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera in Warsaw. It has been staged as a part of Project “P”, a special program of the theatre. Project “P” had its opening in 2012/2103 artistic season. It is intended for young, Polish librettists, composers, stage directors, set and costume designers and opera singers as well. Project “P” is a part of Territories cycle, another very significant artistic program of the theatre. Territories cycle is indicated for bringing the output of XX and XXI century composers closer to the audience. Territories cycle is referred to young directors and performers which is very often connected with their stage debuts.

The opera is a portrait multiple of Jackie Kennedy, focusing not on her biography, but the way this woman went down in American history as the legendary First Lady and fall victim to her image. The production oscillates between real events and visions of a disturbed pshyche.

Requiem for an Icon studies a woman entangled in politics, dependent on men, helplessly attempting to free herself of her image, to show the world who she really is. With subsequent scenes we enter a dreamlike reality deeper and deeper as Jakie projects images and figures. The protagonist is split as well. Jakie the singer is the real Jackie – lying in a hospital bed, fighting with cancer. Her doppelganger, an actress, is a woman-chamealion. Her experience – along with the story of real Jackie – undergoes constant metamorphosis on stage, bringing us closer not to an icon, but a normal woman