Description

WIKTOR LEON ANTONI GRĄBCZEWSKI (? MARCH 15, 1863 – WARSAW, 14 APRIL, 1924)

 

 

 

 

He studied singing under J. Quattrini in Warsaw. In 1888, he made his debut as a concert singer in Warsaw, then went to Paris to become a pupil of the renowned tenor Jean de Reszke. After additional training in Milan, he made his debut there under the stage name Vittorio Edmondi, singing Germont in G. Verdi’s La Traviata. From 1890, performing under the name Victor De Gromzeski, he appeared at major Italian opera houses, including the Teatro Comunale in Florence, the Teatro Comunale in Bologna, and the Teatro San Carlo in Naples. Although he briefly appeared as a tenor from 1895, he soon returned to the baritone repertoire. He enjoyed international success with guest appearances at Covent Garden in London (1892, 1897, and 1903) and at the Court Opera in St. Petersburg (1904). In 1892, he performed in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, and New York. During the 1893-1895 seasons, he was a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. In 1911, he performed in Moscow, Kiev, and Odessa. From 1915, he was active as a director at the National Opera in Warsaw, while still performing as a concert singer, including a notable performance as Escamillo in Carmen in 1924. His stage roles included Rigoletto, Nevers in Gli Ugonotti by G. Meyerbeer, Valentin in Faust by C. Gounod, Silvio in Pagliacci, Alfonso in G. Donizetti’s La Favorita, and his special role, Janusz in S. Moniuszko’s Halka.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1892 London Covent Garden

1897 London Covent Garden

1896 Warsow Teatr Wielki

1903 London Covent Garden

1904 St. Petersburg Court Opera

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Anioł Pasterzom (Koleda) with Adam Ostrowski 1-79664 Favorite, Warsaw 1909/1910
2. Głos duszy (Adam) modlitwa, pieśń wielkanocna 1-75760 Favorite, Warsaw 1909/1910
3. Piesn pokutna (Moniuszko) 1-75753 Favorite, Warsaw 1909/1910
4. Pieśń wieczorna (Moniuszko) 22760 1847g Berliner, Warsaw 1901
5. Sonet do Niemna (Moniuszko) 22830 496h G&T, Warsaw 1901
6. Verbum Nobile (Moniuszko) Aria 22759 1824 B G&T, Warsaw 1901
7. W dzień narodzenia (Kolęda) with Adam Ostrowski 1-79665 Favorite, Warsaw 1909/1910