Wiesław Ochman (Polish pronunciation: [ˈvjɛswaf ˈɔxman]; born 6 February 1937) is a Polish tenor.

Wiesław Ochman
Ochman in 2023
Born (1937-02-06) 6 February 1937 (age 87)
NationalityPolish
Alma materAGH University of Science and Technology
OccupationOpera singer (tenor)
Years active1960–present
RelativesKrystian Ochman (grandson)
AwardsCommander's Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta (2001)
Gold Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis (2005)

Life and career

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In 1960, he graduated from the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, Poland. Ochman began learning voice under the direction of Gustaw Serafin in Kraków (1955–1959) and Maria Szłapak in Bytom (1960–1963). In 1960, he joined the Silesian Opera in Bytom, where he sang for three seasons, in 1963 and 1964; and then, at the Opera Krakowska. He performed at the Teatr Wielki in Warsaw from 1964 till 1970. In 1965 he sang the tenor lead Jontek in the "national Polish opera" Halka by Stanisław Moniuszko in the opening performance in the reconstructed Teatr Wielki. He recorded that role and it is now available on compact disc.

Wiesław Ochman began his international career in 1967 with the Berlin State Opera. He sang in Munich and Hamburg. He achieved his first successes in competition at festivals in Glyndebourne and Salzburg. In 1972, he was engaged by the Paris Opera, and consecutively by operas in Chicago and San Francisco. He also performed in Milan's La Scala, Buenos Aires, Madrid, Moscow and Vienna.[1] In 1975 with the role of Arrigo in the opera The Sicilian Vespers by Giuseppe Verdi, Ochman made his debut at New York's Metropolitan Opera.[2]

Wiesław Ochman recorded 31 vinyl records, most of them in Poland.

In 1980, he was awarded the City of Kraków Award and in 1996 he received the Order of the Smile.[3] In 2001, he was awarded by then President of Poland Aleksander Kwaśniewski the Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta for his outstanding achievements in the field of culture.[4] In 2005, he became a recipient of the Gold Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis.[5]

Personal life

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Ochman performing with the Lublin Medical Academy Choir in Zamość, 2008

He married his wife, Krystyna, in 1963. He is the grandfather of singer Krystian Ochman, the winner of the eleventh season of The Voice of Poland and the winner of Poland's national selection to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[6][7]

Discography

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Jubileusz 85. urodzin Wiesława Ochmana" (in Polish). Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  2. ^ Ericson, Raymond (14 March 1975). "Three New to Cast in 'Siciliani' at Met". The New York Times. p. 23. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
  3. ^ "Sławny śpiewak operowy Wiesław Ochman kończy 75 lat" (in Polish). Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  4. ^ "M.P. 2001 nr 21 poz. 345" (in Polish). Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  5. ^ "Warszawa. Wręczono złote medale "Gloria Artis"" (in Polish). Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Wiesław Ochman - kim jest dziadek Krystiana Ochmana? [WIEK, ŻONA, POCHODZENIE, ŻYCIORYS]" (in Polish). Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  7. ^ "🇵🇱 Poland: Krystian Ochman to Eurovision 2022". 19 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
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