Literature and writers in the life and works of Stanisław Moniuszko

Abstract

The present article concerns the place and significance of literature in the life and works of Stanisław Moniuszko, a composer who created different musico-literary genres, songs, operas, cantatas as well as stage music for dramas. Moniuszko’s correspondence, which often featured literature-related topics, constitutes the basis for the analysis of literary contexts of his works. The composer wrote about his favourite books, poets and writers as well as the lyrics to songs and librettos. Above all, however, his letters contain evidence of his search for new librettos in the existing literary texts and numerous traces of his attempts to invite contemporary writers, poets and playwrights to collaborate on musico-dramatic works. The letters written to several eminent representatives of mid-century Polish literature are a testament to Moniuszko’s ambitious intentions. The contents of those letters also confirm that it was difficult for the composer to find a writer who would collaborate with him as the author of the lyrics to a musico-dramatic piece. The article also presents a collection of Moniuszko’s librettists, which includes the best writers and playwrights of the time. The most remarkable of Moniuszko’s works are well-written in terms of lyrics, which is a proof of the effectiveness of the composer’s efforts and, in the context of the popularity of his works, also of the significance of his achievements, not only for music, but also for the literature and literary culture of the nineteenth century.