Aleksander Kruczek performs a headstand and wins the 24th Great Tenor Tournament
Aleksander Kruczek wins the 24th Great Tenors Tournament held by the Opera at the Castle in Szczecin. The tenor is a graduate of the Academy of Music in Katowice and the Vocal and Ballet Studio at the Musical Theater in Gliwice. He trains under the Young Talents Education Program of the Opera Academy at the Polish National Opera. During the final stage he won 588 roses, traditionally awarded by the audience at the Summer Theater in Szczecin. Aleksander Kruczek sang Jontek’s dumka “The firs are rustling on the mountain top” from act IV of Moniuszko’s opera “Halka.” He also performed Count Tassil’s aria from act I of Kálmán’s operetta “Countess Maritza” – “Play the Gypsies” – finishing the song… on his head.
The second prize went to Łukasz Ratajczak (398 roses). Piotr Kalina was third with 377 roses. Jacek Nieżychowski Prize for the best performance of an operetta aria was awarded for the first time in the tournament history. Nieżychowski was the creator and founder of the Szczecin Operetta. The award was scooped by Łukasz Ratajczak. 8 tenors from around the world took part in the 2024 edition of the tournament, which attracted the audience of nearly 3,000 people. The line-up included Ruslan Bilchak (Ukraine/Poland), Vicent Romero (Spain), Danny Lecreck (Canada), Łukasz Ratajczak, Piotr Kalina and Aleksander Kruczek (Poland), Sejoon An and Jiyoon Lee (South Korea).
The Great Tenors Tournament has been organized by the Opera at the Castle for 20 years. The event leaves the walls of the theater to move to the picturesque outdoor setting. It is not only a show of skills, but also a fight for the hearts of the audience, reminiscent of ancient knights’ tournaments. Each viewer receives a rose, a symbol of recognition, and casts a “vote” for their favorite.