Polish singer gets rave reviews for his Met debut

Polish bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny has made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. His performance in the part of Alberich in Richard Wagner’s Das Rheingold has won him excellent reviews.
The New York Times describes him as ‘a standout member of the cast, a powerhouse bass […] with a big, penetrating voice that can slice through the orchestra’, adding that his appearance was ‘a breakthrough Met debut’.
For a critic of OperaWire ‘Konieczny conjured up one of the greatest Met performances of the season, creating a rich portrayal of a tragic figure who is scorned and rejected by those who feel themselves superior to him. When he loses it all, he turns down a darker path. [...] The Polish bass-baritone drew the most applause at the curtain, the audience showering him with intense love. He fully deserved it for what was undeniably a towering showcase.’ And the New York Classical Review wrote: ‘Most impressive was the stunning debut of Tomasz Konieczny as Alberich, who showed a complete vocal and dramatic transformation in his character over the course of the afternoon.’
In coming weeks Konieczny also sings the part of Alberich in Wagner’s Siegfried and Götterdammerung (The Twilight of the Gods) at the Met.
He is also cast this month as Abimelech in Camille Saint-Saëns’s Samson at Dalila.
Before studying voice, Konieczny graduated from a drama academy and pursued an acting career. At 46, he is currently among the most sought-after bass-baritones, with performances in some of the most prestigious venues including the festivals in Bayreuth, Salzburg and Edinburgh, New York’ Carnegie Hall and opera houses in many European countries, Japan Canada and the United States. (mk)