Ryszard Karczykowski is one of the most distinguished Polish opera singers who achieved international success. He was educated in Gdańsk and in Berlin. He began his work in opera in 1969 in Germany.

A spectacular appearance in G. Verdi’s “Traviata” at the Aix-en-Provence festival in 1976 and a debut in the London Covent Garden opera in 1977 opened the door to his international career.

Presently he appears on all important opera and concert stages all around the world. 

In 1980 he was awarded a prestigious title of “Kammersaenger”, and in 1992 the London Institute for Applied Research granted him a honorable title of Ph.D. 

In 1998 he received the title of music sciences professor from the president of the Republic of Poland. 

Ryszard Karczykowski performed in numerous recordings for radio and TV stations in Poland and abroad. He also participated in many recordings issued on CDs, with the best orchestras and prominent conductors, for such companies as: DENON, DECCA, CAMERATA, BBC, ORF, RAI, ZDF, Polskie Nagrania and others. 

His broad repertoire includes operas, operettas, oratories, sacral music and chants. 

In 1982 he began his pedagogical activity. He is a professor of Vocal and Actor Faculty at the Music Academy in Cracow and the F. Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. He conducts master courses in many European countries and in Japan. 

He is a member of the jury in international vocal competitions. For a few years he has also been engaged in opera production. 

From 2003 to 2006 Ryszard Karczykowski was the artistic director of the Cracow Opera, from 2006 to 2008 he held the position of artistic director of the Grand Theatre – National Opera.