New opera star
Artur Ruciński's ideal is to sing like the exquisite Italian baritone Piero Cappuccilli, to develop a similar ear for music, breathing control, sound and beautiful legato. Opera critics have already pointed out similarities between the two performers. Opera performers also have to be in good physical shape, which comes in useful when directors require a great deal of fitness for the role. Artur Ruciński reveals that his fitness is mainly due to ballet training which he nonetheless gave up to focus on music. He later played the violin (just live the famous Wroclaw-born soprano Aleksandra Kurzak) and the oboe. His experience as an instrumentalist now benefits his vocal pursuits. Ruciński can also count on Olga Troczyńska, his wife and a singer who runs the Vocal Studio ant the Community Centre in Bemowo, Warsaw.
Success story from Poland
He made his début as the main protagonist in Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin". He is still happy to perform the part, but he also has a variety of other roles in his repertoire. When Ruciński joined Anna Netrebko in "The Troubadour" during the Salzburg Festival in 2014, the audience were literally screaming with delight while critics pointed out that he perfectly filled in Domingo's shoes. Ruciński soon climbed the top of the world's opera performers. One reason for this is that he knows how to manage his voice. Back in 2008, when Ruciński received his Passport from the Polityka weekly, the jury lauded the singer for: "Memorable and brilliant interpretations. For consistency in developing a career, which is rare in Poland, and for improving the quality of opera performances throughout the country." Ruciński's schedule is packed two years in advance. This year's opera season of his comes to an end with Don Giovanni in Paris, while next year's starts with the role of Sharpless in Puccini's "Madame Butterfly" at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, and continues with Ashton in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor".
Live at the Wroclaw Opera House
The artist only rarely performs in Poland, which only goes to show how adored he is by world audiences. Thus, the gala at the Wroclaw Opera is unique chance to see him live. Ruciński is going to perform a selection of arias from his favourite operas (including "Rigoletto", "The Troubadour", "Traviata", "Eugene Onegin") to the accompaniment of the Wroclaw Opera Orchestra conducted by Tomasz Szreder. Tickets on offer range from 100-350 PLN, discounts will be available on the concert day.
