Irena Santor podczas XVII KFPP w Opolu w 1979 r. fot. Ryszard ŁabusIrena Santor, born 9 December 1934 in Papowo Biskupie (kujawsko-pomorskie), singer, one of the most influential figures in the history of Polish popular music, frequently referred to as the First Lady of Polish Song. In 1951-1959 she was one the performers of the “Mazowsze” Folk Song and Dance Ensemble. Upon leaving the ensemble, Ms Santor began her independent career on stage which she successfully continued over the next six decades.
She gave concerts in multiple European countries, travelled to North and South America, Asia, and Australia. She made numerous recordings for the Polish Radio, recorded music on CDs, and sang in movies. She is one of the winners of the Sopot Festival where she was awarded the first prize for the song "Embarras" (music by Jerzy Wasowski, lyrics by Jeremi Przybora), and received an award for her interpretation at the Sopot International Song Festival in 1961; in Opole she received the first prize in the “Premieres” concert, award of the Chairman of the National Council in Opole for the song “Powrócisz tu” (music by Piotr Figiel, lyrics by Janusz Kondratowicz), and an audience award at the 4 th Polish Song Festival in
1966 in Opole. In 1971 in Tokyo she was awarded the 3 rd prize for her interpretation of the song “Może już jutro” (music by Leszek Bogdanowicz, lyrics by Jadwiga Urbanowicz). Ms Santor is a two time winner of the Grand Prix at the Polish Song Festival in Opole (in 1979 and 1991), a recipient of the Golden Fryderyk music award for lifetime achievement, the Amber Nightingale (at the International Song Festival in Sopot), and the Gloria Artis Medal for Merit to Culture. She was the first Polish singer to have been awarded the honoris causa doctorate (2017). In 2021 Irena Santor officially announced she would be retiring from stage, however, she continues to be actively involved in a number of artistic undertakings.


/The bio has been prepared by the Museum of Polish Song in Opole./

photo: Irena Santor during the 17th Polish Song Festival in Opole, 1979 (photographer: Ryszard Łabus)

 

 

 

The video has been prepared by the Museum of Polish Song in Opole.