Nędza uszczęśliwiona


Poverty Made Happy – Polish opera in two acts by Maciej Kamieński. Libretto was written by Wojciech Bogusławski, based on a same-named cantata by Franciszek Bohomolec. Its premiere took place on 11 July 1778 in Radziwiłł Palace in Warsaw.
For two centuries, Nędza uszczęśliwiona was considered the first Polish opera performed in public theatre. In 2005 Jerzy Gołos published an anonymous comic opera, which he named Heca albo polowanie na zająca. It dates from 1680. There were also two operas by Michał Kazimierz Ogiński staged before Nędza uszczęśliwiona : Opuszczone dzieci and Filozof zmieniony.

Roles

Podstarości – baritoneAnna, poor peasant – sopranoKasia, her daughter – sopranoJan, wealthy burgher – bassAntek, farm worker – tenor
The scene is staged in a noble village.

Editions