"STILL DREAMING..."

Bonisław Opałko also known under his stage-name - Genowefa Pigwa celebrated his 40th artistic anniversary at Targi Kielce.  The jubilee was staged at the Congress Centre. Among the guests who graced the gala with their presence there were, inter alia, Mafia band, Elita, Andrzej Poniedzielski, Tadeusz Drozda, Włodzimierz Kiniorski and many other famous artists.

The 63-year-old Bronislaw Opałko is not only a cabaret and stand-up comedian, but also the lyricist and composer. Opałko comes from Kielce, Since the 70's he has performed as a unique Świętokrzyskie female resident - Genowefa Pigwa [Genevieve Quince] from Napierstków. This stage character made Opałko famous throughout the country. A characteristic, stripped woollen overall called "zapaska" has become Opałko's trademark.

- I refer to my stage-performances as "40 years of the Passion". In December 1975 I started to enjoy the cabaret performances. I won the comedians competition in Rzeszow, then the Student Song Festival in Cracow followed. Then "Fama" in Swinoujscie. This way I become a part of comdy-performance life - says Bronislaw Opalko. - I never betrayed music, though. There's been always something I composed for the theatre or other artistic events. My friends came to Kielce in order to celebrate 40-years of my stage career. The event is staged in the beautiful acoustic Hall of the Targi Kielce's Congress Centre, the place which boasts astounding acoustics. I have been here for the first time, but that's twenty-first century venue!

"Still dreaming ..." is the title of benefit performance; this was also the title of the program I recorded with TV Krakow in 1988. It was directed by Gregorz Styła. The audience will see some new pieces accompanied with what I have already shown.  However the title is the same - it is a continuation of what I started many years ago. I have been dreaming and imagining the whole time. - adds the artist. - There is still much I would like to do. Now I work with Andrzej Pacuła, Adam Ochwanowski.  We may be able to complete a song and poetry set featuring the Świętokrzyskie region.  I can still see some challenges for me.