Choir of the Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera

There was a chorus of the Teatr Wielki practically from the start, participating in opera productions and sometimes even in drama performances. Beginning in the 19th century, press reviews from the Teatr Wielki productions were full of praise for the chorus’ achievements.
The opening of the Teatr Wielki after its reconstruction in 1965 gave a new stimulus to the development of the opera chorus. The giant stage required a powerful chorus whose performances added brilliance to opera productions. Since that time, Teatr Wielki chorus managers have included Józef Bok, Zofia Urbanyi-Świrska, Henryk Wojnarowski, Lech Gorywoda, Bogdan Gola and Jan Szyrocki, who all contributed to the ensemble's development. The chorus appears in opera productions, takes part in symphony concerts and gives concerts on its own.
As of April 1998, the chorus is once again headed by Bogdan Gola, chorus master, conductor and teacher. The range of interests of this meritorious chorus master is extensive: from Gregorian monody to the monumental works of Wagner and Penderecki. As head of the Choir of the Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera, he has worked on more than 80 famous operas with the ensemble, and the chorus under his direction has gained lasting appreciation from critics and audiences in Poland and abroad.
The ensemble performs in opera productions, takes part in symphonic concerts, and gives its own concerts. The chorus has taken part in many of the Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera's foreign tours, performing on the greatest music stages of Europe, and also in China and Japan.