In “Nazywam się Czerwień”, Orhan Pamuk blends elements of a crime thriller, a love story, and an aesthetic-philosophical essay. Set in Istanbul in 1591, during the reign of Sultan Murat III, the novel follows the protagonist, Black, who is summoned to the empire’s capital after a 12-year absence to help his uncle complete a manuscript. Upon arrival, Black becomes entangled in both a criminal and a romantic intrigue, as his uncle is the father of Black’s former love, Şeküre.

The opera “Ja, Şeküre” focuses on the character Şeküre, one of the key figures in Pamuk’s novel. In Aleksander Nowak’s adaptation, Şeküre becomes the narrator, sharing her inner experiences, desires, and struggles. This character symbolizes the difficulties and constraints faced by women in a patriarchal society. “Ja, Şeküre” is not just a literary adaptation but an independent work that explores universal themes such as identity, love, freedom, and the role of women in society. The world premiere of “Ja, Secure” took place as part of the Opera Rara Festival.

Aleksander Nowak composes instrumental and vocal-instrumental music, occasionally incorporating electronic elements. His work is prominently centered around opera and drama, often in collaboration with contemporary writers. His notable compositions include “Space Opera” (libretto: Georgi Gospodinov), “ahat ilī – Siostra bogów” (libretto: Olga Tokarczuk), “Drach. Dramma per musica,” “Syrena. Melodrama aeterna,” “Pokora. Dramma giocoso” (libretti: Szczepan Twardoch), “Baśń o Sercu. Favola in musica” (libretto: Radek Rak), and “Rzeczy. Vaudeville” (libretto: Marcin Wicha).

Nowak has also written several song cycles, including two for bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny: “Dwuwiersze do słów Leśmiana” (2022) and “3 pieśni do słów Baczyńskiego” (2021), as well as numerous instrumental works for distinguished soloists and ensembles such as Agata and Łukasz Długosz, Łukasz Kuropaczewski, Piotr Pławner, Piotr Sałajczyk, Agata Szymczewska, Orkiestra AUKSO, Royal String Quartet, Kwartet Śląski, and London Sinfonietta.

He has received numerous accolades, including nominations for the Kutza Award 2024, the Silver Medal for Merit to Culture “Gloria Artis” 2023, the “Polish Music Award” (Personality of the Year 2021 and Event of the Year 2020), the “Fryderyk” Phonographic Award 2022 and 2021, the Annual Award of the Polish Composers’ Union 2021, the Cultural Award of the City of Kraków and Onet “O!lśnienia” 2021, the “Paszport Polityki” 2018, and the “Gwarancja Kultury” 2011.

Nowak studied composition at the Academy of Music in Katowice and the University of Louisville, USA. He currently serves as a professor of composition at the Academy of Music in Katowice.