Prof. Eugeniusz Sąsiadek (1987-1990)

He was born on 17 February 1929 in Żyrawa, Lviv Province, and died on 1 August 2022 in Wrocław. He completed his vocal studies in the class of docent Waleria Jędrzejewska at the State Higher School of Music in Wrocław (1956) and his studies in mathematics at Wrocław University (1952).

He was born on 17 February 1929 in Żyrawa, Lviv Province, and died on 1 August 2022 in Wrocław. He completed his vocal studies in the class of docent Waleria Jędrzejewska at the State Higher School of Music in Wrocław (1956) and his studies in mathematics at Wrocław University (1952).

In addition, in 1967-1968 he completed postgraduate studies at the Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia in Rome in the class of Professor Giorgio Favaretto. His artistic activity, which began in 1951 as a student of the solo singing class at the State Secondary Music School in Wrocław, manifested itself mainly in vocal chamber music, specialising in performance of early music and Romantic songs. He also performed many solo parts in oratorios and cantatas and other vocal-instrumental works. He constantly collaborated with several Polish early music ensembles (Capella Bydgostiensis, Capella Cracoviensis, Fistulatores et Tubicinatores Varsovienses), and from 1968 to 1996 he led his own ensemble Complesso di Musica Antica in Wrocław. He gave concerts in all major music centres in Poland, in many European countries, as well as in Australia and Canada. In total, he performed in more than 3000 concerts, in many radio and television broadcasts, and recorded 19 albums. From 1982 to 1984 he was the general and artistic director of the State Opera in Wrocław. 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 the commission, appointed by the Minister of Culture and Art, to qualify candidates for participation in international vocal competitions.

Eugeniusz Sąsiadek has also conducted a rich pedagogical activity. He has educated many well-known solo singers currently occupying leading positions in opera theatres and on concert stages in Poland and abroad, as well as numerous singing teachers. Among the graduates of Eugeniusz Sąsiadek's solo singing class are many laureates of national and international vocal competitions (altogether over 80 awards and distinctions).

At the Academy of Music in Wrocław he held a number of managerial positions, including: dean of the Faculty of Vocal and Vocal-acting Faculties (1968-1981 and 1984-1987), vice-rector (1981-1984) and rector (1987-1990 and in 1995). In 1970-1972, he held the post of Head of the Department of Individual Performance, and then for nearly thirty years, Head of the Department of Vocal Performance (until 2000). He also held an analogous function at the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice (1999-2001). On his initiative, master classes, interpretative and pedagogical courses, scientific conferences and vocal competitions were organised. The editorial team under the leadership of Professor Eugeniusz Sąsiadek has edited and published in print 55 scientific publications in the field of vocalism. He is the author of more than 60 scientific papers.