Szymanowski’s short but gripping opera Król Roger comes to the Royal Opera House for the first time. Composed in 1926, the work has only begun to be programmed by major opera houses in recent decades, and what a jewel it is. Very rarely is one allowed to experience an opera with fresh ears and eyes without having already seen or heard a production of it before. Immediately I was struck by both Szymanowski’s captivating musical drama and Kasper Holten’s arresting production.

It proves how much I like this production by limiting the enlightening of its secrets to you, the reader of this review, so it can be enjoyed afresh should you see it – which you should. I won’t give the game away, but I was completely taken aback by the most striking set, lighting design and scenography created by Kasper Holten and his design team. Set in a suitably post-modern and austere setting for such otherworldly music, the drama is transported from period Sicily to a world of concrete, with the focus on the power struggle between church and state. This pulsating and dynamic psychological drama about desire and faith follows the story of King Roger and the appearance of a shepherd, preaching conversion to a new hypnotic and erotic religious cult. This messiah, played by tenor Samir Pirgu, steals the show with both dramatic and subtle singing but baritone Mariusz Kwiecień as King Roger is also fantastic.

Along with some beautifully choreographed sections, well-integrated into the action, there is some really stunning singing from the ROH chorus producing some affecting atmospheric soundscapes from Szymanowski’s music. Antonio Pappano’s début collaboration with Director of Opera Holten is a meeting of two artistic geniuses. Beg, borrow or steal a ticket if you can. It is also possible to catch it on the Royal Opera House’s YouTube Channel, on the Opera Europa Digital Platform and on BBC Radio 3 on 16 May. I am excited for what appears to be a new age of opera dramaturgy, conceptual design and direction at ROH. This is Total Theatre: wipe away those boring revivals and bring more of this to the London opera stage.

There is very little indeed to criticise about this production – Kasper Holten has done it again. This is a rarely performed masterpiece, and I am already looking forward to its revival, and expect to see it programmed much more across the world in the future.

Król Roger plays at the Royal Opera House until 19 May. For more information and tickets, see the Royal Opera House website. Photo by Bill Cooper.