Biography
Pianist and tutor Michał Biel graduated from the Juilliard School in New York, studying with Brian Zeger, Margo Garrett, Jonathan Feldman and J.J. Penna. He also studied with Eytan Pessen at the Opera Academy at the Grand Theatre National Opera in Warsaw, and with Andrzej Jasiński and Grzegorz Biegas at the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice.
He has performed in the world’s most famous concert halls, such as Wigmore Hall in London, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Berliner Philharmonie, Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York, as well as some of the most prestigious opera houses including: Oper Frankfurt, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Opéra National du Rhin, Opéra National de Bordeaux, Opera de Lille, El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia in Valencia, and the Grand Theatre-National Opera in Warsaw.
He regularly collaborates with countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński, with whom he gives concerts all over the world, also taking part in renowned festivals such as: Verbier Festival, Life Victoria Barcelona and Festival de Lacoste Pierre Cardin. Their performances have been repeatedly broadcast by, among others: Medici.tv, Arte.tv, BBC Radio 3, TVP Kultura, and Polish Radio Programme 2.
Read moreReviews
“[Translated] …and this is probably the time to say how wonderful a pianist [Jakub’s] long-time musical partner Michal Biel is. He makes virtuoso arpeggios flow from one end of the keyboard to the other in the second melody, “Na wzgórzach Gruzji – The hills of Georgia”. Above all, it is his softness of touch, his half-tones, the climates he suggests, his way of suspending time in certain preludes or postludes, which are remarkable.”
“Orlínski and his pianist, Michał Biel, have one of the most symbiotic and vibrant of stage partnerships. It was evident over six months ago; and it was amply on show at this recital. They share the same nationality, a not unimportant asset in chamber music or song recitals. But more than that, they seem able to mirror each other’s tone and inflections; there is a balance in their artistry where you aren’t overly focused on just the singer. So often in song the piano part can become obfuscated, it can escape notice. Biel’s gift is that his art is exactly that; as vivid as an impressionist painting.”
