Performers
Antonina Kawecka
She studied under the German occupation with Stanisław Kazuro at the underground Warsaw Conservatory. She continued her voice education with Adam Didur, Stefan Belina-Skupiewski, and Józef Woliński.
During the war she performed at the concerts of the Central Welfare Council (RGO) and in Warsaw’s cafés, for instance at Woytowicz’s in Nowy Świat Street. In 1945 she made her debut at the Silesian Opera as Lola in Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana.
In 1947–1979 she was a soloist at Poznań Opera. Her rich repertoire included mezzo-soprano and soprano parts in operas by, among others, Puccini, Verdi, Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, and Wagner. In 1950 she made a huge success as Halka in Moniuszko’s eponymous opera (dir. Leon Schiller, cond. Walerian Bierdiajew). She appeared in opera houses in Poland and worldwide. Her interpretations of songs by Chopin, Moniuszko, and Szymanowski were released on records.
From 1971 she taught a singing class at Poznań’s Academy of Music. She also served on the juries of international vocal competitions.
Her numerous prestigious accolades included the Cavalier’s (1953), Officer’s (1959) and Commander’s (1976) Crosses of the Order of Polonia Restituta, as well as the Medal ‘Polonia Mater Nostra Est’, granted to her by the Civic Foundation of Polish National Memory (SFPNP, 1996).
During the war she performed at the concerts of the Central Welfare Council (RGO) and in Warsaw’s cafés, for instance at Woytowicz’s in Nowy Świat Street. In 1945 she made her debut at the Silesian Opera as Lola in Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana.
In 1947–1979 she was a soloist at Poznań Opera. Her rich repertoire included mezzo-soprano and soprano parts in operas by, among others, Puccini, Verdi, Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, and Wagner. In 1950 she made a huge success as Halka in Moniuszko’s eponymous opera (dir. Leon Schiller, cond. Walerian Bierdiajew). She appeared in opera houses in Poland and worldwide. Her interpretations of songs by Chopin, Moniuszko, and Szymanowski were released on records.
From 1971 she taught a singing class at Poznań’s Academy of Music. She also served on the juries of international vocal competitions.
Her numerous prestigious accolades included the Cavalier’s (1953), Officer’s (1959) and Commander’s (1976) Crosses of the Order of Polonia Restituta, as well as the Medal ‘Polonia Mater Nostra Est’, granted to her by the Civic Foundation of Polish National Memory (SFPNP, 1996).
