Ewa Demarczyk – the Dark Angel

Karusela z Madonnami or Carousel with Madonnas is a surreal yet haunting track by one of Poland’s most celebrated singers, Ewa Demarczyk, also known as the Dark Angel. Demarczyk’s voice was ‘discovered’ on a television talent competition, which catapulted her to national and then later, international stardom. But it was her work on the underground Polish cabaret scene that she is perhaps best remembered for – a mixture of sung poetry, art and daring political satire which reflected the double life of many Polish citizens living under a repressive communist government of the 1960s. Musicologist Simon Zagorski-Thomas talks to Polish photographer and broadcaster Bogdan Frymorgen about Demarczyk’s life and work.

Produced by Rami Tzabar for BBC World Service.

Image: Record label artwork, BBC