Quo Vadis (Nowowiejski)

Quo Vadis is an opera in five acts composed by Feliks Nowowiejski to a Polish libretto by Antoni Bandrowski, based on the historical novel Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz.

The opera premiered on November 21, 1909, in Kraków, Poland, and achieved significant international success in the early 20th century. It depicts the persecution of Christians in ancient Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero. The title, Quo Vadis, translates from Latin as "Where are you going?", referring to a legendary encounter between Saint Peter and Jesus Christ on the Appian Way. In the opera, Peter, fleeing Rome to avoid persecution, has a vision of Christ walking towards the city. Peter asks, "Quo Vadis, Domine?", to which Jesus replies that he is going to Rome to be crucified again. This vision inspires Peter to return to Rome and face martyrdom.

Notable arias and scenes in the opera contribute to its dramatic impact and have helped secure its place in the operatic repertoire. Although not as frequently performed today as other major operas, Quo Vadis (Nowowiejski) remains a significant work of Polish national opera and is occasionally revived in concert and staged productions.