Bożena Harasimowicz

Bozena Harasimowicz graduated with a distinction from Gdansk Music Academy in 1989 in the vocal faculty studying under Prof. Zofia Janukowicz-Poblocka. After the graduation she continued to master her abilities studying under such artists and teachers as Adele Stolte, Lore Fischer, Christian Elsner, Luisa Bosabalian, Judith Beckman and Paul Esswood. Presently she herself is a lecturer there. In 2002 she obtained a Ph.D. in vocal studies and in 2005 a professorship of Music Academy in Gdansk.

Bozena Harasimowicz is a winner of many vocal competitions. The major ones include the following: International J.S.Bach Competition in Leipzig (1988); International ARD Radio Competition in Munich (a finalist, 1992); Ferrucio Tagliavinii Compeition in Austria (1997).

Bozena Harasimowicz performed at home and abroad with numerous acclaimed and well known conductors, such as: Kazimierz Kord, Antoni Wit, Jerzy Semkow, Krzysztof Penderecki, Gabriel Chmura, Jacek Kaspszyk, Tadeusz Wojciechowski, Helmuth Rilling, Rolf Beck, Gilbert Levin and Uroz Lajovic singing on stages of National Philharmonic, NOSPR in Katowice, Berlin Philharmonic, Munich, NDR Orchestra in Hamburg, Radio Orchestra in Bratislava, Belgrad Philharmonic, Hunter College in New York, Estonia Concert Hall in Tallin, Musikverein in Vienna, Teatro Real in Madrid, Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

She took part in many major festivals, such as "Wratislavia Cantans", "Warsaw Autumn", "Easter Festival" in Krakow, Ludwig van Beethoven Festival in Warsaw, Pablo Casals Festival in Puerto Rico, Modern Wien in Vienna, Beijing Music Festival in Beijing, Schleswig-Holstein and Rheingau Musikfest. Her repertoire consists above all of great vocal-instrumental works, oratorical works, masses, cantons, motets, psalms, symphonies, operas and also songs accompanied by the piano and orchestra.

She has worked continuously from 1997 with the renowned Polish composer and conductor Krzysztof Penderecki (e.g. the European premier of the Seven Gates of Jerusalem with the National Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by K. Korda) performing his works in the most prestigious concert halls around the world. She has also made recorded versions of K. Penderecki's works on CD and DVD which were published by NAXOS and CDAccord (amongst others: Credo and the Seven Gates of Jerusalem which was awarded a prize in the 2001 Fryderyk Music Festival in the Contemporary Music category.

During the visit of Pope Benedikt XVI in Cologne as part of the World Youth Days In 2005, she performed Misse Solemnis by L. V. Beethoven under the conductorship of Gilbert Levin together with the Royal London Symphony Orchestra and Choir. The concert was recorded on DVD by Arthaus Musik.

Another important event in here career was her participation in a celebratory concert during the National Bishops Conference commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Nostra Aetate National Shrine in Washington, USA. During this event she performed Beethoven's 9 Symphony Ode to Joy with New York's St Luke Orchestra.

As an inhabitant of Gdansk she will represent the City of Gdansk at the Hansa Music Festival in Kings Lynn, UK in 2009 where she will perform a selection of Baroque music (e.g. Buxtehude, Handel). Bozena Harasimowicz has worked continuously as a soloist for the "Great Theatre" (Teatr Wielki) in Warsaw which is the largest opera house in Poland.

 

Her most important performances have been: Don Carlos A voice from Heaven (2000) by G. Verdi and conducted by Warlikowski, as "Donna Elvira" in W.A. Mozart's Don Giovanni (2002 - 2009) under the conductorship of Mariusz Trelinski, as "Magda" in G. Puccinii's La Rondine (2003) conducted by Martha Domingo, as well as 1st Lady in W.A. Mozart's Magic Flute (2006) under the conductorship of Achim Freyer.

In addition to her opera and concert activities Bozena Harasimowicz has been also been a vocalist teacher since 1989. In 2005 she was awarded the title of Professor from the Gdansk Music Academy where she runs master classes for student vocalists. Her first such course was carried out in 2005 in the Talinn Music Academy in Estonia and was for music academy students from all around the Baltic Sea area.