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The Polish contralto, Helena Poczykowska, started her musical education there, playing the piano. She sudied at Akademia Muzyczna w Warszawie Filia w Białymstoku (1998-2001). In 2008, she graduated with distinction from the Vocal/Theatrical Department of the Academy of Music in Kraków (Akademia Muzyczna w Krakowie) (2001-2008). Since then, she continued to develop her vocal skills, studying with Professor Ingrid Kremling, also taking part in master-classes with Jard van Nes, Jill Feldman, Charles Daniels, Claire Lefilliatre, Jan van Elsacker, Kai Wessel and Peter Kooy.
Helena Poczykowska specializes in both early and contemporary music. Her repertoire comprises the most important solo parts of 17th and 18th century oratorio and opera works. She extends her repertoire by singing Lieder recitals. As an ensemble singer, a considerable part of her professional life consist of singing music from Josquin Desprez to Arvo Pärt. She shared the concert platform with conductors such as Andrew Parrott, Ottavio Dantone, Philippe Herreweghe and Vincent Dumestre and ensembles such as Collegium Vocale Gent, Capella Cracoviensis, Le Poème Harmonique, Accademia Bizantina and Polish Radio Choir (2008-2012). She performed in prestigious musical events like Misteria Paschalia, Opera Rara (Kraków), The Baroque Opera Festival Dramma per Musica (Warsaw), Olavsfestdagene (Trondheim), Svatováclavský hudební festiwal (Ostrava), Händel-Festspiele (Halle).
This year, Helena Poczykowska took a solo part in the world premiere of Antonio Draghi's sacred opera Il Terremoto (1682), conducted by Vincent Dumestre and directed by Benjamin Lazar. This production was realized in cooperation with French television Mezzo, where it will appear in September 2017. |
