Stefan Stuligrosz. Photo: cc/KrejZiiPoland’s most prominent choral conductor, Stefan Stuligrosz, founder and music director of the Poznań Nightingales (Słowiki) Boys’ and Men’s Choir, has been decorated with the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest state distinction.
Stuligrosz received the decoration from President Bronisław Komorowski at a gala concert in Poznań, which was also a celebration of his 90th birthday. In his thank-you remarks, Stefan Stuligrosz described the distinction as ‘a ray of light that brightens the last years of my life’.
The audience and his many artist friends sang the Polish equivalent of ‘Happy Birthday’ - ‘May he live 100 years’ - in several versions, including ‘100 years plus VAT’, to which Stuligrosz responded jokingly ‘It’s good the VAT went up one percentage point, as for me it means 123 and not 122 years’.
President Komorowski praised the role of the Poznan Nightingales choir in promoting musical culture for the past seven decades. Under Stuligrosz the choir has performed in all major choral festivals and has given special concerts for Popes Paul VI and John Paul II, President Kennedy, Prime Minister Thatcher as well as Swedish and Spanish monarchs.
Despite his age and serious problems with walking following a hip operation, Stefan Stuligrosz is in good form and continues to work with the choir, conducting in the seated position.
Stuligrosz studied musicology, choral conducting and singing. He started his conducting career in 1939. He is also a composer, with almost 600 pieces for unaccompanied choir and choir with piano, organ and orchestra to his credit. (mk/jb)