Modrakowska Maria

Maria Modrakowska (*December 10, 1896 Lviv-† October 16, 1965 Wrocław) Polish singer. After graduating from the Lviv Conservatory in the piano class of prof. Helena Ottawowa continued her piano studies with Henryk Melcer Szczawiński in Warsaw. At the same time, she completed three years of vocal studies with Helena Zboińska Ruszkowska. Additionally, she studied pharmacology at the University of Warsaw.  In the years 1927-31 she performed at concerts of the Early Music Association in Warsaw and Vilnius. The Association of Young Polish Musicians in Paris, of which she quickly became one of the most active and distinguished members, introduced her to the music circles of Paris in March 1931. There she began studies in the history of music with prof. Nadia Boulanger and additional studies in vocal art and interpretation with C. Croize. In December 1931, she was appointed professor of singing and interpretation at the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris. At the same time, she began a rich concert life.

She is the author of “The Polish Worker’s March Song” for voice with piano, 4-voice mixed choir, 4-voice men’s choir a cappella or with piano. (Kraków 1950) Sheet music available in the BN collections (information at the link) She was also a translator and author of song lyrics to the music of other composers. (Information about the songs at the link)