Stanisław Moniuszko  (May 5, 1819 in Ubiel, near Minsk – June 4, 1872 in Warsaw, Congress Poland) was a Polish composer, conductor and teacher. He is generally called the father of Polish national opera.

Biography

Youth
Moniuszko was born in Ubiel (Minsk district in modern Belarus) to a Polish-Armenian  noble family of landowners. He showed an early ability in music, and began private piano lessons with August Freyer in 1827.  Moniuszko began to formally study composition in Berlin with Karl Friedrich Rungenhagen,  who also taught him in choral conducting. While in Berlin, he had an unexpected early success when he set three songs to the words of the Polish national poet, Adam Mickiewicz.

After three years in Berlin, he returned to Poland in 1840 to marry Aleksandra Müller. He got a job as an organist in Vilnius and also worked as a private piano tutor. The Moniuszkos had ten children.

Around 1840, he began to compose strongly, writing his first operas and several other stage works, as well as sacred music and secular cantatas. 

During his lifetime Moniuszko traveled many times to St. Petersburg where his concerts were very well received.  He was the mentor of César Cui.

Maturity 
In 1848 in Vilnius, he staged and conducted the first performance of his opera Halka.  After the triumph of his new four-act version of Halka at Warsaw on 1 January 1858, he toured France.  It was soon later staged in Prague, Moscow and St. Petersburg, where it met with great success. 

On 1 August 1858 he was made conductor of the Polish Opera in the Grand Theatre in Warsaw.  In 1864, Moniuszko started lecturing at the Music Institute in Warsaw, where he also directed a choir. His disciples included, among others, Zygmunt Noskowski and Henryk Jarecki.

Stanisław Moniuszko died on 4 June 1872 in Warsaw of a sudden heart attack. He was buried in Powązki Cemetery.

Works

Stage works

Operettas

Operas 

{| class="wikitable" border="1" 
!bgcolor=ececec|Work
!bgcolor=ececec|Form
!bgcolor=ececec|Composed
!bgcolor=ececec|Libretto
!bgcolor=ececec|Première
|-
|Halka (Helen)
|opera in two acts, laterenlarged to four acts
|c. 1847-8& 1857
|Włodzimierz Wolski(after Kazimierz Władysław Wójcicki)
|Vilnius, 1 January 1848
|-
|Sielanka (Idyll) 
|opera in two acts
|c. 1848?
|Vintsent Dunin-Martsinkyevich
|lost
|-
|Betty
|comic opera in two acts
|c. 1852
|F Schober (after Scribe andMelesville)
|Vilnius, 20 May 1852
|-
|Flis (The Raftsman)
|opera in one act
|c. 1858
|S Boguslawski
|Warsaw, 24 September 1858
|-
|Rokiczana (The King of Peasants)
|incomplete
|c. 1859
|J Korzeniowski
|unperformed
|-
|Hrabina (The Countess)
|opera in three acts
|c. 1869
|Włodzimierz Wolski
|Warsaw, 7 February 1860
|-
|Jawnuta
|opera in two acts
|c. 1860
|
|Warsaw 5 June 1860
|-
|Verbum nobile
|opera in one act
|c. 1860
|Jan Chęciński
|Warsaw, 1 January 1861
|-
|Straszny Dwór (The Haunted Manor)
|opera in four acts
|c. 1861-4
|Jan Chęciński (after Kazimierz Władysław Wójcicki)
|Warsaw, 28 September 1865
|-
|Paria|opera in three acts withprologue
|c. 1859-69
|Jan Chęciński (after a play byDelavigne)
|Warsaw, 11 December 1869
|-
|Trea|incomplete
|c. 1872
|J Jasiński after a Femish legend
|unperformed
|-
|Nowy dziedzic (The New Landlord)
|incomplete
|undated
|
|unperformed
|-
|Sen wieszcza (The Seer's Dream)
|incomplete
|undated
|Władysław Syrokomla after J B Rosierand A de Leuven
|unperformed
|-
|Walka muzyków(The Musicians' Struggle)
|incomplete
|undated
|Vintsent Dunin-Martsinkyevich
|lost
|}

 Ballet Monte Christo, after Alexandre Dumas (1866)Na kwaterunku (On the Bilet) (1868)Figle szatana (Satan's Tricks aka Devil's Frolics) (1870)Merry Wives of Windsor (c. 1849), ballet music composed for the opera of Otto Nicolai

 Theatre Kasper Hauser (1843), melodrama by Anicet, Bourgeois and d'Ennery. First performance: Minsk, November 18, 1843Sabaudka (Savoyardess or the Mother's Blessing) melodrama in 5 acts by d'Ennery and Lemoine. First performance: Vilnius, May 6, 1845
Hamlet. Shakespeare's tragedy. First performance: Warsaw, March 24, 1871Zbojcy (Die Rauber). Schiller's tragedy. First performance: Warsaw 1870 and 1871Hans Mathis, drama (1872). Finished by Adam MunchheimerKarpaccy gorale, drama by J. Korzeniowski

 Vocal
 Cantatas 

 Sacred 

 Songs More than 300, listing the most popular:Chochlik (The Imp). Text by A.E. OdyniecCzaty (The Ambush), ballad. Text by A. Mickiewicz. Also in a version with orchestraCzarny krzyżyk (The Little Black Cross). Text by Bruno Bielawski.Dziad i baba (The Old Man and The Old Woman). Text by J.I. KraszewskiDziadek i babka (Grandpa and Grandma). Text by P. JankowskiEntuzjasta (The Enthusiast). Text by J. PrusinowskiKozak (Cossack). Also known as Tam na gorze jawor stoiKum i kuma (Chums). Text by J. CzeczotŁzy (Tears). Text by A.E. OdyniecMaciek. Text by T. LenartowiczMagda karczmarka (Magda, the Innkeeper). Also known as W pustej karczmie Magda siedzi, ballad. Text by E. SztyrmerNad Nidą (On Nida River). Text by Włodzimierz WolskiPanicz i dziewczyna (The Young Master and The Girl). Also known as W gaiku zielonym. Text by A.E. OdyniecPieśń wieczorna (The Song at Dusk). Also known as Po nocnej rosie. Text by W. SyrokomlaPiosnka żołnierza (Soldier's Song). Also known as Już matka zasnęła. Text by J. KorzeniowskiPolna różyczka (The Little, Field Rose). Text by J. GrajnertPowrót taty (Father's Return). Text by A. MickiewiczPrząśniczka (The Spinner). Text by J. Czeczot. Also in a version with orchestraRozmowa (Conversation). Also known as Kochanko moja, na co nam rozmowa. Text by A. MickiewiczRybka (The Fish). Text by A. MickiewiczŚwierszcz (The Cricket). Text by J.N. KaminskiŚwitezianka (The Nymph of Lake Switez). Text by A. MickiewiczTren X (Lament No. X). Also known as Urszulo moja wdzieczna. Text by J. KochanowskiTrzech Budrysów (Three Budryses). Text by A. Mickiewicz. Also in a version with orchestraTrzy śpiewy: Niepewnosc, Pieszczotka, Sen (Three Chants: Uncertainty, Cuddlesome One, Dream). Text by A. Mickiewicz. German translation BlankenseeWilija (Christmas Eve). Text by A. MickiewiczZnaszli ten kraj (Do You Know Such Land). Text by A. Mickiewicz, after J. W. Goethe

 Instrumental 
 Chamber 
String quartet no.1 in D minor (1839)
String quartet no.2 in F major (before 1840)

 Organ 

Organ compositions on the themes of church songs, among others Vespers and Song of Ostra Brama. Published: Warsaw, 1862.

 Piano Fraszki (Trifles). Two books. Published: Vilnius, 1843
Nocturne in A-flat major. Published: Vilnius, 1846
Mazurka in D major. Published: Vilnius, before 1846
Six Polonaises. Published: Vilnius, 1846
Polka in C major. Published: Warsaw, 1851
Polka, "Daniel". Published: Warsaw, 1852
Polka, "Gabirela". Published: Warsaw, 1855
"Spring" Polka. Published: Warsaw, 1860Vilanelle in B flat major. Published: Warsaw, 1851
Three Waltzes. Published: Warsaw, 1852
"Wedding" Mazurka. Published: Warsaw, 1872Kolysanka (Cradle Song) in D major. Published: Warsaw, 19 March 1872
Piano transcriptions of opera fragments and of works by other composers, among others Six Polonaises of Michal Oginski. Published: Warsaw, before 1858
Original compositions and transcriptions for piano duet

 Symphonic Bajka (Fairytale), fantastic overture (1848). Two versions. First performed: Vilnius, 1 May 1848Kain, overture (1856). First performance: St. Petersburg, March 1856
War Overture. First performance: Vilnius, 19 March 1857Polonez koncertowy (concert polonaise) in A major, for large orchestra (1866)Polonez obywatelski, civic polonaise in F major (after 1863)

 Recordings 

Due to the current obscurity of Moniuszko outside Poland, this list more or less represents a complete discography.

 Opera 

Halka: Andrzej Hiolski, Barbara Zagorzanka, Jerzy Ostapiuk, Ryszarda Racewicz, Wieslaw Ochman. Robert Satanowski cond., Polish National Opera Orchestra & Chorus. 2 CDs, DDD, CPO Records, Live (recorded 1987?), 18 January 1995
Halka (highlights): Andrzej Hiolski, Edmund Kossowski, Barbara Nieman, Halina Slonicka, Bohdan Paprocki. Zdizislaw Gorzynski cond., Polish National Opera Orchestra & Chorus. CD, Polskie Nagrania Muza, 6 April 1994 (originally 1992)
Halka: Harmonia Mundi/Chant du Monde?
Halka: Tatiana Zacharczuk, Władimir Kuzmienko, Zbigniew Macias, Katarzyna Suska, Piotr Nowacki. Antoni Wicherek cond., Soloists, Choir, Ballet and Orchestra of The Great Theatre National Opera in Warsaw. DVD, 2h10m, ZPR Records, 1999
Halka: Tatiana Borodina, Oleh Lykhach, Aleksandra Buczek, Mariusz Godlewski, Radosław Żukowski, Zbigniew Kryczka, Jacek Ryś, Rafał Majzner, Andrzej Kalinin, Rafał Majzner, Janusz Zawadzki. Ewa Michnik cond., Wroclaw Opera Orchestra, Chorus & Ballet. DVD, 2h16m, subtitles in Polish, English, German. DUX Recording Producers/Metronome, 19 March 2007. Cat. no DVD : DUX 9538, Barcode: 5902547095387Hrabina: Halina Slonicka,  Agnieszka Kossakowska, Edmund Kossowski, Kazimierz Pustelak, Bogna Sokorska. Mieczysław Mierzejewski cond., Orchestra & Choir Teatru Wielkiego w Warszawie. CD, Polskie Nagrania Muza, 2004

The Haunted Manor: Adam Kruszewski, Iwona Hossa, Jacek Parol, Anna Lubanska, Krzysztof Szmyt, Dariusz Stachura, Piotr Nowacki, Stefania Toczyska, Zbigniew Macias, Romuald Tesarowicz, Agnieszka Zwierko. Jacek Kasprzyk cond., Wielki Theatre Orchestra. 2 CDs, DDD, EMI Classics, Studio, 13 July 2004
The Haunted Manor: Bozena Betley-Sieradzka, Wiera Baniewicz, Zdzislaw Nikodem, Wieslaw Ochman, Andrzej Hiolski, Leonard Mroz, Andrzej Saciuk, et al. Jan Krentz cond., Orchestra & Choir of the PRiTV, Kraków. 4 CDs, Polskie Nagrania Muza, 1 January 2003. SX 0253The Haunted Manor: Andrzej Hiolski, Bernard Ładysz, Bogdan Paprocki, Halina Słonicka, Zdzisław Nikodem. Witold Rowicki cond., Orchestra & Choir Teatru Wielkiego w Warszawie. Polskie Nagrania Muza, 1992. PNCD093The Haunted Manor: Bogdan Paprocki, Edmund Kossowski, Antonina Kawecka, Marian Woźniczko, Barbara Kostrzewska, Felicja Kurowiak, Radzisław Peter, Zygmunt Mariański, Henryk Łukaszek, et al. Walerian Bierdajew cond., Poznań Opera. Early 1950s

Verbum Nobile: Andrzej Kizewetter, Krystyna Pakulska, Marian Kondella, Jan Czekay, Edward Kmiciewicz. Robert Satanowski, cond., Orchestra & Choir Państwowej Opery. CD, AAD, 1h5m, Polskie Nagrania Muza, 1993. PNCD 247 Vocal 

Canons: Krzysztof Szmyt, Pawel Skaluba, Piotr Kusiewicz, Ryszard Minkiewicz. CD, DDD, DUX Recording Producers, 27 March 2001
Litanies of Ostra Brama: Czeslaw Galka, Anna Lubanska, Iwona Hossa, Adam Zdunikowski. Henryk Wojnarowski cond., Warsaw Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. CD, CD Accord, 5 September 2006
Religious Songs: Andrzej Hiolski, Jaroslaw Malanowicz, Joanna Kozlowska, Piotr Kusiewicz. CD, DDD, CD Accord, 26 June 2001
Religious Works: Marian Sawa, Witold Pilewski, Anna Malewicz, Krystyna Szoslek-Radkowa, Krystyna Szostek-Radkowa, et al. Edmund Kajdasz cond., Warsaw Chamber Orchestra. CD, ADD, Olympia, 4 October 1993
Śpiewnik domowy I: Bożena Betley, Alina Bolechowska, Maria Fołtyn, Jadwiga Romańska, Hanna Rumowska-Machnikowska, Halina Szymulska. CD, Polskie Nagrania Muza, 1996. PNCD348Śpiewnik domowy II: Andrzej Hiolski, Bernard Ładysz, Wiesław Ochman, Maciej Witkiewicz. CD, Polskie Nagrania Muza, 1996. PNCD349 Instrumental 

Opera Overtures: Grzegorz Fitelberg; Jan Krenz; Witold Rowicki cond., Polish Radio Orchestra & Chorus Katowice; Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra. CD, ADD, Olympia, 4 October 1993
Overtures: Robert Satanowski cond., Filharmonia Pomorska Bydgoszcz. CD, DDD, CPO Records, 25 January 1995
Overtures & Dances: Roland Bader cond., Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra. CD, DDD, Koch Schwann, 21 January 1997
String Quartets (w/ Ignacy Feliks Dobrzyński): Camerata Quartet. CD, DDD, DUX Recording Producers, 29 May 2007
Новае неба Станіслава Манюшкі: Classic Avantgarde ensemble (Belarus). CD, 2008.Mazur from Act IV Straszny Dwór'' with Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Witold Rowicki, 1967, Orchestral CDs, CD12/2011

References 

Conductors
Deaths from myocardial infarction
Polish composers
Romantic composers
1819 births
1872 deaths