One of Krzysztof Penderecki’s four operas, The Black Mask had its world premiere in 1986 in Salzburg, a few years later also coming to the National Opera in Warsaw.
The new staging, directed by David Pountney, coincided with the 91st birth anniversary of Krzysztof Penderecki, who died in 2020.
In the words of David Pountney The Black Mask is "a present-day warning against building social order on fragile foundations". The director, also Bassem Akiki who is the production's music director and conductor, and soprano Natalia Rubiś who makes a stunning appearance in the role of Benigna, speak to Elżbieta Krajewska.