Professor Monika Swarowska-Walawska was a great authority in classical singing, embodying mastery and beauty in her art. Her career was marked by unforgettable performances on opera stages across Europe and North America, leaving an enduring mark on Polish opera culture. She collaborated with the Stagione Teatro Italiana and Polish Television Opera, frequently appearing as a guest soloist at Poland's Grand Theatres in Poznań and Łódź and the Wrocław Opera. Her performances graced stages worldwide, from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg to Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the United States. Additionally, her talents are immortalized in numerous recordings for Polish National Radio and Television, with contributions in Kraków, Katowice, Wrocław, Poznań, and Gdańsk.
Her extensive repertoire included a wide array of operatic roles, oratorios, lieder, and operetta. Notable roles included Abigaille in Nabucco and Amelia in Un ballo in maschera by Verdi, Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor and Norina in Don Pasquale by Donizetti, Mimi in La Bohème and Tosca in Tosca by Puccini, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni, Senta in Der fliegende Holländer by Wagner, Micaëla in Carmen by Bizet, and Halka in Halka by Moniuszko.
Her distinguished career was recognized with several Polish state honors, including the Gold Cross of Merit, the Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis, and the Golden Laurel for Mastery in Art from the Polish Culture Foundation. She also achieved acclaim in prestigious national and international singing competitions. In 1983, she was a semi-finalist in the International Competition Voci Verdiane in Busseto. The following year, she won First Prize and a Special Prize for Best Soprano in the Adam Didur Opera Singers Competition in Bytom. In 1985, she was a finalist in the Francisco Viñas Singing Contest in Barcelona.
In 1987, Professor Swarowska-Walawska embarked on an educational path, teaching opera solo singing at the Academy of Music in Kraków. She was celebrated not only for her artistry but also for her dedication to promoting the culture of opera through her academic and pedagogical achievements. Her influence extended beyond the stage, inspiring generations of students and opera enthusiasts.
We are honored to have Professor Monika Swarowska-Walawska as the patron of our festival. Through this tribute, we aspire to carry forward her operatic heritage, paying homage to her remarkable legacy and ensuring her contributions to the world of opera continue to inspire.