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.
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, Banff Center for Performing Arts, Cleveland Opera Circle 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, I Puritani, Merry Widow, and King Roger.
His concert and oratorio appearances include Vancouver Symphony, Winnipeg Symphony, Okanagan Symphony, and Calgary Symphony Orchestras, North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the Vancouver Bach Choir. In 2008 Dr. Biernacki made his Carnegie Hall debut with UNF Wind Ensemble performing works of Tchaikovsky and Tosti. The same year he was engaged for a recital of opera arias and duets at Carnegie Zankel Hall. Dr. Biernacki was also heard on CBC Radio and CBC Saturday Afternoon at the Opera including highly acclaimed world premiere production of Filumena co-produced by the Calgary Opera and Banff Centre for Performing Arts.
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 Associate Professor of Voice and Opera at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. In 2007 Dr. Biernacki established the UNF Opera Ensemble which produces two complete opera productions per year and participates in summer opera program in Czech Republic. His stage directing credits include complete productions of Hansel and Gretel, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Suor Angelica, Dido and Aeneas, The Consul, Die Fledermaus, Le Nozze di Figaro and Magic Flute. Upcoming productions include The Mikado (April 2012) at UNF and Cosi Fan Tutte (July 2012) at the Teplice Opera Theater in Czech Republic.
Dr. Biernacki’s engagements for 2011-12 include solo concerts at the Grieg in Bergen International Music Festival in Bergen, Norway; Festival Gli Anniversari Della Musica for Associazione Stravinsky in Avellino, Italy; Interfest – Bitola International Festival of Classical Music in Bitola, Macedonia; Stagione Concertistica Della Società Filarmonica di Miranda de Ebro in Spain; two productions of Die Fledermaus at Szczecin Opera and Baltic Opera Gdansk in Poland; title role of Szymanowski’s King Roger with Cleveland Opera Circle, plus solo recitals at Jacksonville Friday Musicale and Jacksonville University.
Dr. Biernacki is also engaged as an adjudicator, competition judge and clinician. His voice students have been accepted to well-known graduate programs including Manhattan School of Music, San Francisco Conservatory, University of Michigan, Boston Conservatory, University of British Columbia, 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.