The Best City in the World. An Opera About Warsaw

About the event

“The Best City in the World. An Opera About Warsaw” will inaugurate the 2025/26 artistic season at the Grand Theatre – National Opera. The opera's libretto tells the story of two women: an architect from the Bureau of Reconstruction of the Capital and an American journalist, whose fates intertwine in the post-war city. The opera not only explores destruction and the effort to repair it but also delves into ideological clashes, trauma, and dreams. 🎭 World Premiere: September 19, 2025 The work was created by composer Cezary Duchnowski and playwright Beniamin Bukowski, selected by a specialized jury of music and literary experts from invited creators. The libretto is based on Grzegorz Piątek's book “The Best City in the World. Warsaw in Reconstruction 1944-1949.” The opera is directed by Barbara Wiśniewska, with set design by Natalia Kitamikado and costumes by Emil Wysocki. Soloists (including Joanna Freszel and Agata Zubel) and the Sinfonia Varsovia orchestra will be conducted by Bassem Akiki. The event is organized by Sinfonia Varsovia in collaboration with partners: the Grand Theatre – National Opera and the “Warsaw Autumn” Festival. The children's choir “Artos” named after Władysław Skoraczewski will also perform. 🎟️ Ticket Sales: This is one of the most important events of the year marking the 80th anniversary of the beginning of Warsaw's reconstruction. The world premiere is on September 19, with additional performances scheduled for September 20 and October 18 and 19, 2025. Tickets are available at: https://teatrwielki.pl. The opera can also be viewed by purchasing a pass for the “Warsaw Autumn” Festival (sales start in September). The project is funded by the City of Warsaw. Co-organizers include the Grand Theatre – National Opera and Sinfonia Varsovia, with partners: the International Festival of Contemporary Music “Warsaw Autumn” and the Museum of Warsaw. The event is sponsored by Orlen, with media patronage from Vogue Poland and Polmic.