Captain Who – a maritime semi-opera with music by Wojciech Stępień and an original English libretto by Paweł Jędrzejko – draws the audience into the evocative world of an old fishermen’s tavern, brought to life through haunting music and vivid storytelling.

Set among salt-worn wood and the lingering scent of whiskey, the opera unfolds as four sailors (baritones) gather to drink and sing, joined by an innkeeper (baritone). Within this enclosed and timeless space, the tavern becomes a microcosm where the human condition—its fragility, desires, and moral tensions—is exposed. Two additional figures deepen this world: the “prostitute” (mezzo-soprano), navigating the violence of objectification, and the “cabin boy” (countertenor), whose youthful vulnerability sharply contrasts with the hardened lives around him.

Through a series of arias and ensemble moments, the work explores shifting dynamics of power and vulnerability, revealing the emotional fractures that shape each character. At its centre stands the enigmatic Captain Who (baritone), a figure who embodies a patriarchy in crisis. His presence oscillates between authority and collapse: a man shaped by systems of power, yet profoundly isolated within them. In a rare moment of tenderness, his lullaby to his daughter – forced into prostitution for survival – offers a glimpse of humanity beneath the violence, revealing the contradictions of a figure who is both agent and victim of the world he inhabits.

Musically, the work moves between past and present. Described by Stępień as “songs and dances in an ancient style,” the score blends vocal writing with a distinctive instrumental palette—baroque viola da gamba and violin enriched by subtle jazz inflections. This fusion creates a suspended, almost timeless atmosphere, where tradition and innovation coexist and universal themes emerge with clarity.

Premiered on 9 November 2022 at Teatr Rozrywki in Chorzów, Captain Who is now presented in Italy with the support of the Polish Institute in Rome.  Bringing together Polish musicians and Italian singers, the production fosters a dynamic exchange between artistic traditions, demonstrating how music theatre can cross cultural boundaries while engaging critically with urgent contemporary issues.