Paria (2023)

Renowned in his native Poland, and increasingly recognised internationally as an opera composer of significance, Stanislaw Moniuszko (1819–1872) could always be relied on for superb music drama. Despite this reputation, his final opera Paria long remained his least frequently staged. Now, however, its touching story of love, exclusion and the power of social rules can be relished in this concert version that was awarded First Prize in the Rediscovered Work category at the 2021 International Opera Awards. Conducted by internationally acclaimed Jacek Kaspszyk, and with a star cast in an all-Polish production from the superb Poznan State Moniuszko Opera Orchestra and Chorus, this is an opportunity to savour a rarely recorded work. (naxos.com)