A Byzantine affair: Szymanowski's Król Roger in Berlin

Król Roger performed in Berlin

Ruslana Koval (foreground), Szymon Mechliński and Piotr Kalina

Jacek Kaspszyk

By Elena Luporini, 14 November 2025

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“Ukrainian soprano Ruslana Koval sang Roxana with a beautiful lyric soprano”

Reviewed at Philharmonie: Großer Saal, Berlin on 12 November 2025

Szymanowski, King Roger, (Król Roger) Op.46 (concert performance)

Poznań Opera

Jacek Kaspszyk, Conductor

Poznań Opera Orchestra

Poznań Opera Chorus

Piotr Kalina, Edrisi

Szymon Mechliński, Król Roger II

Ruslana Koval, Roxana

Rafał Korpik, Archbishop

Andrzej Lampert, Shepherd

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Dominic Lowe, 13th May

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***11

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****1

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****1

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Elena Luporini

After completing their Master's degree in Musicology in Rome, Elena has now moved to Berlin to dedicate themselves to more things musical. With a publication on Béla Bartók and a seminar at the Humboldt-Universität underway, their interests mostly veer toward 20th-century opera, with some forays into queer musicology. Some of their latest undertakings also include oboe lessons, stencil-making and tea-making.