Mariusz Kwiecien NEWS
Mariusz's "Eugene Onegin" DVD has just been named the MIDEM classical music award winner in the DVD:Opera/Ballet category! CONGRATULATIONS!
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You can still see Mariusz as Escamillo in the new lauded production of "Carmen" at the Metropolitan Opera! There are two performances left in February and then two more in the spring (please check the ENGAGEMENTS section for more details).
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Congratulations to Mariusz, who - on March 15 - sang one of his signature arias from "Don Giovanni" ("Fin ch'han dal vino") at the Metropolitan Opera's 125th Anniversary Gala, along Placido Domingo, Angela Gheorghiu, Renee Fleming, Roberto Alagna, Juan Diego Florez, Thomas Hampson, Deborah Voigt, Natalie Dessay, and others! He looked spectacular in a gorgeous costume inspired by one worn by Ezio Pinza and received a thundering ovation.
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Of Mariusz's performance in "Lucia di Lammermoor" this season, The New York Times wrote, "As Enrico, Lucia's bullying brother, the baritone Mariusz Kwiecien was terrific, commanding the stage and singing with robust sound and incisive execution." (Anthony Tommasini, NYTimes, Jan 29, 2009)
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Updates have been made to the REVIEWS section, including applause for Mariusz' Count in Santa Fe Opera's "Le nozze di Figaro", as well as numerous pictures have been added to the GALLERY.
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Please make sure to review the newest engagements calendar which has been updated with Mariusz' performance of the title role in Eugene Onegin at Paris Opera Palais Garnier.
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Mariusz closes the season at Lyric Opera of Chicago with a stunning performance of Eugene Onegin - read the Chicago Tribune review here. Next - Seattle Opera and "I puritani"!
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The New York Times calls Mariusz "A Polish Prince" in a profile story by the paper's music critic Anthony Tommasini! You can read the entire article at the paper's website or in the REVIEWS section.
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In the months of November and December, Mariusz gave a recital tour around North America, to great critical acclaim. He sang in Kansas City (read the review here), New York City, Vancouver, Forth Worth, Berkeley, and Washington DC.
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Check out the Met Opera "Lucia Blog", with some great pictures from rehearsals, production, and the incredible, glamorous opening night!
Lucia di Lammermoor, Met, 2007, Natalie Dessay, Mariusz Kwiecien, John Relyea (photo: Ken Howard)
Lucia di Lammermoor, Met, 2007, Mariusz Kwiecien, Natalie Dessay, Marcello Giordani (photo: Ken Howard)
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Mariusz won the Artist of the Year for Seattle Opera in 2006-2007 for his brilliant Don Giovanni!
This is an end-of-season custom at Seattle Opera. The management send two ballots with all the names of the artists involved with Seattle Opera in that season to the Board, major donors, the staff, and the newspaper and magazine critics. One ballot has the names of their conductors, directors and designers and the other has all the singers who are listed on the cast pages. The 300 or so who receive the ballots vote; the ballots are tallied by the company's auditor, and the results are announced to the General Manager at the Annual Meeting which took place a few days ago. Mariusz's victory came by a large margin, and it's even more impressing as it took place after a very strong season with many a memorable part. CONGRATULATIONS!