Stanisław Szymański– dancer. Born on 17 June 1930 in Cracow, died on 10 February 1999 in Warsaw. He was discovered and educated by Leon Wójcikowski in his ballet studio in Cracow. Also Wójcikowski brought him to Warsaw, where Szymański performed in Nowy Theatre (1949–1950). In the season 1950–1951 Szymański danced in the Poznań Opera. In 1951–1957 he was a soloist in the Song and Dance Ensemble of Polish Army. From 1957 he danced in the Warsaw Opera. He took over the role of Pyetrushka after Leon Wójcikowski. In 1963, at “Warsaw Autumn” Festival, he received Orfeusz – an award from music critics, for his part of Orphaeus in Stravinsky’s ballet. In 1966 he became a first soloist of the Teatr Wielki. He played many unforgettable solo and characteristic dance roles at the Teatr Wielki’s stage. He is the only Pole honoured in Paris with the Vaslav Nijinsky Award and the title of “Danseur etole”. In Madrid he was awarded for his creation of Spanish dances. He was a partner of the most famous Polish ballerinas. However, he was always a better soloist than a partner. Many of his creations (in particular in the contemporary ballets, e.g.by Gruca, created especially for him) were filmed. He finished his career as ballet dancer in the early 80’s. In 1994 he Jerzy Grzegorzewski talked him into performing in Studio Theatre in Cztery komedie równoległe. Also in 1994, Jacek Talczewski produced a documentary Staszek about Szymański.
Most important parts:
Sigfried and Rothbart (Swan Lake), Prince (Cinderella), Arlekin (Mandragora), Nieznajomy (Mandragora), Pyetrushka (Pyetrushka), Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet), Hilarion (Giselle), Mazepa (Mazepa), Orpheus (Orpheus), Diabeł (Pan Twardowski), Don Perlimplino (The Red Coat), Leśny stwór (Voci), solo parts in Samotność, Ogień, Les Elements, small parts in Don Quixote, Spartacus and others.
