Rafal Grozdew / Bulgaria

Rafal Grozdew is a lyric tenor with coloratura facility. He graduated Music Academy in Gdansk, the faculty of Vocal and Drama under prof. Wieslawa Maliszewska direction. He received a diploma in cultural manager at Warsaw University. Before starting the education at the Music Academy he cooperated with the chamber choir „Cantica Cantamus” carried by Violetta Bielecka with which he appeared in Berlin Philharmonic Concert Hall with “Der Tyranos” of Ernst von Kameke, the monumental work in honour of the victims of Holocaust. With “Cantica Cantamus” he won prizes at prestigious festivals (among others “Gaude Mater”). He sang with the ancient music band of Marek Toporowski and with the choirs like: Sine Nomine, Capella Gedanensis, Ars Nova. In 2002 he appeared in the competition of Polish Vocal Music and he became one of the prizewinners. He made his debut on the stage during the vocal studies performing the role of Gherard in “Gianni Schicchi” - the opera of G. Puccini. He also played the role of Ozio in “Betulia Liberata” the opera of W. A. Mozart. As a part of cooperation with Chamber Opera in Gdansk he performed the role of Bastien in "Bastien und Bastienne" the opera of W. A. Mozart and Xerxes in "Xerxes" the opera of G. F. Haendel. He performed also "Magnificat" the work of M. J. ¯ebrowski during the celebration of Polish Year in France, the project called "Nova Polska" under the partronage of presidents J. Chirac and A. Kwaœniewski and the Polish Institute of Adam Mickiewicz. He also participated in the “Young Talents Concert” in Hel. As the best graduate he appeared in a series promoting young singers “Musical Youth Forum”. Together with Baltic Opera and Alber Concert Teater he went on a concert tour with "Rosenkavalier" the work of R. Strauss performing the role of Valzacchi. He performed in “Mozart in Love” as part of Saint John with the Baltic Opera in the Midsummer Opera Nights. He cooperates with Warsaw Chamber Opera in the opera “Cud mniemany, czyli Krakowiacy i Górale” composed by J. Stefani performing the role of Stach and with National Theatre - vocal part in “Umowa czyli lajdak ukarany”, the work of P.de Marivaux directed by Jacques Lassalle. He is taking part in numerous oratorio concerts and performances conducted by Eckart Manke, Janusz Przybylski, Pawel Kos-Nowicki, Jacek Rogala. He also appeared in the music festivals “Musica Sacra” in Gdynia, “Moniszkowski Festiwal Podlasia”. He performed at the Poznan Philharmonic, the Philharmonic of Lomza, Swietokrzyska Philharmonic and Philharmonic of Slupsk. He cooperates at the music avant-garde projects on the borderland between different traditions and music styles (f.e. popular, folk, jazz) with the bands: Kapela ze Wsi Warszawa, Kwadrofonik, Village Kollektiv, Sebastian Stanny Quartet and other groups awarded by Polish Radio, BBC and Fryderyk Award.He cooperates with Maria Pomianowska, Wojciech Pulcyn and Maciej Cierlinski as well. He also co-organizes cultural events and music and vocal workshops. He works (among others) with the Warsaw Uprising Museum and associations: Art Deco Group, Music without Borders, Transetnika. In June 2009 he participated in the championship course singing The European Opera Centre Trust and he qualified for the masterclass.