Artysz Jerzy, *18 September 1930 Sochaczew, †22 July 2024 Warsaw, Polish singer (baritone) and teacher. He studied vocals at the State Higher School of Music in Warsaw with M. Halfterowa, obtaining a diploma with honours in 1959. In 1963 and 1965, he was consulted by M. Carbone-Rossini in Milan. In 1958, he made his debut in Moniuszko’s Halka at the Łódź Opera. Artysz was a laureate of vocal competitions: 3rd prize at the International Competition on the occasion of the FMMiS in Moscow (1957), 2nd prize and Grand Prix in Toulouse (1959), 2nd prize at the International Musical Performance Competition in Geneva (1960). Since 1963, he had been a soloist at the Grand Theatre in Warsaw and collaborated with the Warsaw Chamber Stage, singing in baroque and classical operas. Artysz is also a highly valued performer of vocal parts in symphonic works, oratorios and songs. He took part in the Warsaw Autumn Festival many times and gave concerts in Poland and abroad (Europe, United States, Israel). Until 1990, he was a soloist at the Grand Theatre in Warsaw. He sang mainly baritone parts in operas by Monteverdi (Orpheus), Mozart, Wagner, Verdi, Puccini and 20th-century composers (Wozzeck by A. Berg, Tomorrow by T. Baird, Mannequins by Z. Rudziński, Black Mask by K. Penderecki). In 1986, he played the title role in the premiere of the opera Oedipus and Jocasta by J. Soler at the Opera Liceo in Barcelona. In 1994, he took part in the recording of F. Mompou’s oratorio Los Improperios (Harmonia Mundi). Since 1976, he had been associated with the Academy of Music in Warsaw as a teacher. In 1990–94, he was professor and artistic director of the Escola d’Opera in Barcelona. He participated in the work of the jury of international singing competitions in Busseto, Barcelona, Geneva, and Toulouse; in 1995, he chaired the jury of the 2nd S. Moniuszko International Competition in Warsaw. In 1980, Artysz received the ZKP award for “outstanding achievements in the field of performing Polish music”, and in 1989, he was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta. He also appeared on radio and television and recorded several albums.
