Eugeniusz Sąsiadek (2016)

Singer and teacher, born on 17 February 1929 in Żyrawa in the Lviv Province, died on 1 August 2022 in Wrocław. He graduated in vocal studies from the class of Waleria Jędrzejewska at the State Higher School of Music in Wrocław (1956) and in mathematics from the University of Wrocław (1952). In addition, in 1967-1968, he completed postgraduate studies at the Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia in Rome in the class of Prof. Giorgio Favaretto.

At the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław, he held a number of managerial positions, including: Dean of the Vocal and Vocal-Acting Department (1968-1981 and 1984-1987), vice-rector (1981-1984) and rector (1987-1990 and in 1995). In 1970-1972, he was head of the Department of Individual Performance, and then for nearly thirty years, head of the Department of Vocal Studies (until 2000). He also held a similar position at the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice (1999-2001). On his initiative, masterclasses, interpretation and teaching courses, scientific conferences and vocal competitions were organised. The editorial team, chaired by Prof. Eugeniusz Sąsiadek, edited and published 55 scientific publications in the field of vocal studies. He is the author of over 60 scientific papers.

Eugeniusz Sąsiadek was also an extremely active social activist. From 1964, he served on the Board of the Wrocław Branch of the Association of Polish Music Artists as secretary (1964-1968), vice-president (1968-1974), president (1974-1984 and 1992-2007), and from 2007 he was the honorary president of the Branch. He initiated the establishment of the Polish Association of Singing Teachers, which he headed as president for seven terms (1988-2013), and in 2013 the General Meeting of Members of the Association awarded him the title of honorary president. In 1982-1984, he was the general and artistic director of the State Opera in Wrocław. He was vice-president (1988-1992) and, in 1992-1997, president of the Main Board of the Association of Polish Music Artists. He was a councillor of the Provincial National Council (1984-1990, including chairman of the Culture Committee in 1986-1990) and a member of the Wrocław City Council (1994-2002, including vice-chairman of the Culture Committee in 1994-1998).

His pedagogical activity was extremely rich. He educated many well-known solo singers, who currently hold leading positions in opera theatres and on concert stages in Poland and abroad, as well as a large group of singing teachers. Among the graduates of his solo singing class are many winners of national and international vocal competitions (a total of over 80 awards and distinctions). He chaired or sat on the jury of many vocal competitions, both international and national (Warsaw, Sofia, Seoul, Verona, Wrocław, Gdańsk, Łódź, Katowice, Krynica-Zdrój, Duszniki-Zdrój, Kudowa-Zdrój, Karpacz, Gliwice). In the 1970s and 1980s, he was the permanent chairman of a committee appointed by the Minister of Culture and Art to select candidates for participation in international vocal competitions.

He began his artistic career in 1951 as a student of solo singing at the State Secondary School of Music in Wrocław, focusing mainly on vocal chamber music and specialising in the performance of early music and Romantic songs. He also performed many solo parts in oratorios and cantatas, as well as other vocal-instrumental works.He collaborated regularly with several Polish early music ensembles (Capella Bydgostiensis, Capella Cracoviensis, Fistulatores et Tubicinatores Varsovienses), and between 1968 and 1996 he led his own ensemble, Complesso di Musica Antica, in Wrocław. He has performed in all major music centres in Poland, in many European countries, as well as in Australia and Canada. He has appeared in over 3,000 concerts and numerous radio and television broadcasts. The artist's discography includes 19 items.

For his multifaceted activities and outstanding artistic and teaching achievements, he has received many awards and distinctions, including the Gold Cross of Merit, the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, and the Medal of the National Education Commission. He is a five-time winner of the 1st and 2nd degree award of the Minister of Culture and Art for his teaching and educational activities, honoured with the Gold Badge of the Association of Polish Music Artists and the annual award of the Polish Association of Singing Teachers.

In recognition of his outstanding artistic and pedagogical achievements, honouring his creative contribution and special merits for the development of musical culture and artistic life, as well as his activities for the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław, the Senate of the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław awarded Prof. Eugeniusz Sąsiadek the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in 2016.