We first introduced readers to Polish barihunk Jaroslaw Kitala back in 2008 when he won second prize in the 14th Ada Sari International Vocal Art Festival in Nowy Sącz, Poland. The other two prize winners were also Polish baritones, so we dubbed the post the "Hot Pole Competition." We had somehow lost track of Kitala until now (except for a brief appearance in a toga for Purcell's Dido and Aeneas).
In 2014, he joined the Opera Studio at the Opera National du Rhin, where he's scheduled to sing Le Bûcheron in Respighi's The Sleeping Beauty (LaBelle au bois dormant) opening on December 19 and running through January 9th. It then travels to the Athénée Théâtre Louis-Jouvet in Paris for a run from January 17-22, and then to Mulhouse for performances on January 31 and February 1.
Along with his ballet La boutique fantasque, Respighi's children's opera LaBelle au bois dormant was one the most performed works by the composer in his lifetime. The opera premiered on April 13, 1922 at the Teatro Odescalchi in Rome.
Kitala studied at the ChorzowMusic Academy and theKatowiceMusic Academy, graduating in 2008. He won the1st prize at the Imrich Godin International Vocal Competition Iuventus Canti in Slovakia. He has appeared at severalmusic festivalsin Poland andthroughout Europe and has recordedwith theChamber Orchestra ofTarnów.
In 2010he participated in there-creationof 18th century composer JosephZeidler'sLauretanaeLitaniae. Upcoming roles at the Opera National du Rhin include Count Robinson in Cimarosa's Il MatrimonioSegretoand Un vieux paysan in Dukas'Arianeet Barbe-Bleue.
ALERT!!! Only 12 days left to buy your Barihunks Charity Calendar. Order today and support a young artist for the holidays.
