Biography

English
Baritone Krzysztof Biernacki established strong reputation as a powerful performer, versatile stage director, and talented pedagogue. Born and raised in Poland, his professional credits include opera, oratorio, concert, and recital performances in Canada, United Sates, and Europe. Dr. Biernacki holds degrees from University of Manitoba (B. Mus.), University of Western Ontario (M. Mus.), and University of British Columbia (D.M.A). He holds the position of Assistant Professor and Head of Applied Voice at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

As a singer Dr. Biernacki has appeared in principal roles with Vancouver Opera, Manitoba Opera, Calgary Opera, Orchestra London Canada, Theaters of Jablonec and Usti nad Labem in Czech Republic, as well as opera ensembles of University of British Columbia and University of Western Ontario. Highlights of his operatic engagements include Eugene Onegin, Barber of Seville, Madama Butterfly, La Boheme, Cunning Little Vixen, La Fanciulla del West, Rigoletto, Carmen, Dido & Aeneas, The Crucible, Merry Widow, Die Fledermaus, Der Freischütz, Un Ballo in Maschera, Don Pasquale, Gianni Schicchi, and Merry Widow.

Dr. Biernacki’s commitment to contemporary music is highlighted by world premiere performances heard on CBC Radio and CBC Saturday Afternoon at the Opera including a highly acclaimed production of Filumena co-produced by the Calgary Opera and Banff Centre for Performing Arts. Last summer Dr. Biernacki made his Carnegie Hall debut with UNF Wind Ensemble performing works of Tchaikovsky and Tosti. Last October he was reengaged for a recital of opera arias and duets at Carnegie Zankel Hall.

Praised for excellent musicianship and respected as a solo recitalist, Dr. Biernacki frequently performs song recitals ranging in repertoire from Haydn to Szymanowski, Shostakovich, and Britten. His concert and oratorio appearances include Vancouver, Winnipeg, Okanagan, and Calgary Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Vancouver Bach Choir. His summer 2009 engagements included solo recitals in Italy and Poland, concerts with North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, and two opera engagements at the European Music Academy in Czech Republic. Additional stage directing accomplishments include establishment of UNF Opera Ensemble which produces complete opera productions, engages in community outreach, student recruitment, and propagation of operatic arts in the Jacksonville community.

Dr. Biernacki is often engaged as an adjudicator, competition judge, masterclass presenter, and clinician. He is in high demand as a voice teacher and his students have been accepted to prestigious graduate programs including Manhattan School of Music, San Francisco Conservatory, University of Michigan, Boston Conservatory, and New York University.

Polish

Krzysztof Biernacki urodził się w Polsce w Świdnicy na Dolnym Śląsku. Tam też od najmłodszych lat uczęszczał do szkoły muzycznej. W roku 1989, wraz z rodzicami i siostrą, wyemigrował do Winnipegu gdzie od początku śpiewał jako chórzysta  w Zespole Pieśni i Tańca "Sokół".

Po ukończeniu studiów wokalnych na University of Manitoba (B. Mus), Krzysztof Biernacki kontynuował studia na University of Western Ontario (M. Mus) i University of British Columbia gdzie otrzymał doktorat ze sztuk wokalno-operowych. Jego praca dyplomowa dotyczyła utworów wokalnych Karola Szymanowskiego, a w szczególności opery “Król Roger”.

Od czasu studiów Krzysztof często wystepował jako solista z wieloma orkiestrami symfonicznymi między innymi z Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Symphony, Okanagan Symphony, Orchestra London, Winnipeg Symphony,  North Czech Philharmonic, (Czeska Republika), a także z Orkiestrą Symfoniczną w Jacksonville. Jako baryton Krzysztof często kreował role w spektaklach operowych z Vancouver Opera, Calgary Opera, Manitoba Opera, UBC Opera i wielu innych. Oprócz ról operowych i koncertów oratoryjnych, Krzysztof Biernacki często śpiewa recitale solowe specjalizując się w obszernym repertuarze pieśniowym kompozytorów polskich i światowych.

Do ważnych wykonanych oper należą: „Barbiere di Sevilla” (Vancouver Opera), „Rigoletto” (Manitoba Opera),” Madama Butterfly” (Orchestra London), „La Fanciulla del West”(Vancouver Opera), „Don Pasquale” (Calgary Opera), „Un Ballo di Maschera”(Vancouver Opera), „Carmen” (Manitoba Opera), „Amahl and the Nights Visitors” (Okanagan Symphony), „La Boheme” (Orchestra London) i „Der Freischutz” (Vancouver Opera). Wykonał również „Marry Widow”, „Dido and Aeneas”, „The Crucible”, „Die Fledermaus”oraz „Gianni Schicchi” z wieloma zespołami operowymi.

Krzysztof Biernacki wziął udział w wykonaniu światowej premiery opery „Filumena”, wspólnej produkcji Calgary Opera i Banff Center. Wykonał również wiele partii oratoryjnych, m.in. „Pasja według Św.. Mateusza” J.S. Bacha, „Mesjasz” G.F. Haendla, a także „Requiem” J. Brahmsa.

Od 2005 roku Dr. Biernacki jest profesorem sztuk wokalno-operowych i koordynatorem wydziału wokalistyki na University of North Florida w Jacksonville. Jako pedagog Dr. Biernacki jest również częstym jurorem na wielu konkursach i festiwalach wokalnych, a także reżyserem studenckich przedstawień operowych.

Italian

KRZYSZTOF BIERNACKI (BARITONO)
Il Dr.  Krzysztof Biernacki  è considerato un  esecutore dalla possente voce, un versatile regista teatrale e un  insegnante di talento.
Si è formato in Nord America e in Europa e la sua attività professionale  include opera, oratorio, concerti con orchestra e recitals  in entrambi i continenti.

Ha cantato ricoprendo ruoli principali in molte opere come  Barbiere di Siviglia (Vancouver Opera), Rigoletto (Manitoba Opera), Madam Butterfly (Orchestra London), La Fanciulla del West (Vancouver Opera), Don Pasquale (Calgary Opera), Un Ballo in Maschera (Vancouver Opera), Carmen (Manitoba Opera),  La Boheme (Orchestra London), Der Freischütz (Vancouver Opera), Cunning Little Vixen (Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic),  Gianni Schicchi... ecc...

Il suo impegno  per la musica contemporanea è evidenziato da esecuzioni in  prima mondiale  trasmesse dalla CBC Radio e  dal programma della CBC “Sabato Pomeriggio all'Opera”  tra cui ricordiamo la rinomata   produzione di “Filumena” opera  co-prodotta dalla  “Calgary Opera” e dal “ Banff Centre for Performing Arts”.

Molto apprezzato  per l' eccellente musicalità e  rispettato come solista ,  il Dr. Biernacki spesso si esibisce anche  in recitals spaziando  da   Haydn a Szymanowski, Shostakovich e Britten.

Si è esibito come solista con le  Orchestre Sinfoniche di Vancouver, Winnipeg, Okanagan, Calgary, così come con il  Vancouver Bach Choir.
Il Dr. Biernacki  si è anche esibito più volte alla  Carnegie Hall  di New York   e l'estate  2009 lo vedrà esibirsi in Polonia,  con la Filarmonica Ceca Nord nella Repubblica Ceca dove anche dirigerà    lo stage di canto presso l'Accademia Europea di Musica.

Il Dr. Biernacki è laureato presso l'Università  della  Manitoba (B. Mus.), L'Univerità  del  Western Ontario (M. Mus.), e  l' Università della  British Columbia (DMA). È  direttore e docente  del UNF Opera Ensemble presso l'Università del Nord  di Jacksonville in Florida.