Norwid goes to the Opera House (translated by Tadeusz Karłowicz)

Abstract

The article shows the history of a certain invitation – an opera ticket that can be found in the materials remaining from C. Norwid, kept in Z. Przesmycki’s collection in the National Library. The author explains that it is a ticket for the world premiere of Sylvia, or Diane’s Nymph by Luis Mérante, a ballet based on Torquato Tasso’s poem Aminta and performed in the Paris Opera on 14 June 1876. Norwid received the invitation from the soloist of the Paris Opera with the dedication: “To Sir C. Norwid, as a keepsake from the revered Maria Gillert”. The article presents the circumstances, in which the poet could have met the dancer, and also the ballet performance to which he was invited.