Employees

prof. dr hab.

Ryszard Cieśla

singing

Member of “Bornus Consort” ancient music ensemble in 1983–87. Winner of the second prize at the International Singing Competition in ‘s‑Hertogenbosh, Holland in 1986. He was awarded a Ministry of Culture and Art scholarship to study at Hochschule für Music und Darstellend Kunst in Vienna in 1988–89. Professor at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. Dean of the Vocal Department in 2005–2008. In the period of 2008–2012 he held the function of Prorector for Teaching Affairs at the FCUM. Since 2012 he has held the function of Dean of the Department of Vocal and Acting Studies (terms of office 2012–2016 and 2016–2020).

Artistic Director of the Romuald Traugutt Philharmonic, a patriotic society founded in 1983 by Tadeusz Kaczyński, musicologist and music critic. Organiser and artistic director of the Romuald Traugutt Philharmonic Festivals: the Passion Festival “Crucifixus est?”, the Festival of Songs of Polish Composers, the Festival of European Songs and the Festival of Polish Poetry.

In 1997 POLCUL FOUNDATION, the Independent Foundation for the Support of Polish Culture in Australia, awarded him for the work of the Philharmonic. Ryszard Cieśla has directed several musical spectacles:

• “The song will survive …” and “The not so haunted manor” (Representational Band of the Polish Army),
• “Raise your hand, God’s child”, “The children of Warsaw”, “Kościuszko, look down upon us from heaven” and “Welcome, May dawn” (Romuald Traugutt Philharmonic),
• “Orpheus and Eurydice in Rainbow Land” (New Theatre and Jewish Theatre).

He has made archival recordings of the songs of Moniuszko, Paderewski, Szymanowski, Schubert, Schumann, Mahler, Strauss and Ravel for Polish Radio. In 1998 he recorded a series of songs from the period of regaining of independence (with the Traugutt Philharmonic) and was also musical director of the recording (Hard Record Studio).