The opening of the restored Amphitheatre in Łazienki Park will be one of the most significant cultural events of the coming season. After years of closure and a two-year conservation project, the 18th-century stage will once again welcome audiences, highlighting the continuity of the theatrical tradition initiated by King Stanisław August and its contemporary interpretation as part of the ‘Amphitheatre 2.0’ project. This marks the return of a unique venue – one of only two royal theatre stages in Poland and the only one of its kind in Europe, where historical architecture, natural scenery and art have formed an inseparable whole for centuries.
The revitalisation involved a full scope of works unprecedented in the Amphitheatre’s entire history. The poor condition of the stylised ruins, the concrete stage slab, the footbridge leading to the island and parts of the columns necessitated comprehensive measures preceded by detailed research and expert assessments. Thanks to funding from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, not only were the auditorium, stage, understage area and orchestra pit restored, but also the entire sculptural framework and the island with its fascine structure, surroundings and boat mooring area. The full functionality and aesthetics of the complex have been restored, whilst preserving its historical character and unique spatial layout.
The amphitheatre, designed by Jan Chrystian Kamsetzer and opened in 1791 with the ballet ‘Cleopatra’, has been one of Warsaw’s most important open-air stages from the very beginning. In the following decades, performances inspired by antiquity and the Enlightenment, classical music concerts, opera and oratorio projects, as well as events combining various genres, were presented here. The venue also served as a space for festivals, state ceremonies and international initiatives, attracting audiences with diverse interests. Educational and community programmes remained a key part of its activities, combining history with modern forms of participation, making the Amphitheatre a space for meeting and integration.
The symbolic revival of the stage will be marked by a concert featuring two artists. Jakub Józef Orliński, one of the most recognisable countertenors of the younger generation, who has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House and the Grand Theatre – National Opera, and Michał Biel, an acclaimed pianist and graduate of the Juilliard School, known for his performances at the Concertgebouw, the Berlin Philharmonic, Wigmore Hall and Carnegie Hall, will present a programme prepared especially for the inauguration.
The reopening of the Amphitheatre is not merely a return of this historic venue to the events calendar. It is also a clear statement of the direction in which Łazienki Królewskie is heading – towards a modern, open platform where heritage meets contemporary artistic practices. Thanks to this, the Amphitheatre has the opportunity to consolidate its position as one of Poland’s key cultural venues, combining tradition, modernity and a unique atmosphere that has inspired artists and audiences for over two centuries.
source: Royal Łazienki Museum
photo: Paweł Czarnecki, Royal Łazienki Museum
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