On April 8, the Kosciuszko Foundation will present a recital by Polish countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński and Polish pianist Michał Biel. The concert will feature operatic works by Polish composers K. Szymanowski, T. Baird, and P. Łukaszewski, as well as F. Schubert, R. Hahn and G. F. Handel, followed by a reception with light refreshments. All proceeds from the event will go toward the KF Cultural Events Fund to support 2018 Marcella Sembrich International Vocal Competition.
Orliński was a previous winner of the KF Marcella Sembrich International Vocal Competition (2015) and is also the winner of 2016 Grand Finals of Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Oratorio Society of New York Solo Competition, and International Moniuszko Vocal Competition in Warsaw. Orliński has been a member of the Opera Academy of the Polish National Opera in Warsaw since 2012, and is currently studying at The Juilliard School. He has performed leading roles at opera houses in Poland and Germany and as a soloist at the Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Houston Symphony Orchestra and many other prestigious venues both in USA and Europe.
Michał Biel graduated from the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music, where he studied piano under Andrzej Jasiński. He is currently a Jerome L. Greene Fellow pursuing his master’s degree in Collaborative Piano at The Juilliard School. He has been awarded Best Young Accompanist at Le Grand Prix de l’Opera in Bucharest, Outstanding Accompaniment at the 10th L. Różycki Vocal Competition in Gliwice, and First Prize at the Academic Competition of Art Song in Wrocław, among other prizes. He has also participated in The Song Continues residency at Carnegie Hall and The Mozart Residency at the Académie du Festival d’Aix.
Saturday, April 8, 2017 | 5:00 p.m.
Concert Recital – Jakub Józef Orliński/Michał Biel
The Kosciuszko Foundation
15 E 65th Street, New York, NY 10065
Tickets & Info: eventbrite.com
[Sources: press release, thekf.org]