„By not playing Wagner, nor the Russian repertoire, Tchaikovsky or Mussorgsky, we place ourselves in a somewhat provincial position. We cannot afford, as a state, as a nation, to remain on the margins. In this sense, I will try to help the director of the Bolshoi Theatre – National Opera, Boris Kudlička.” T.K.

„When I’m in Poland,” Tomasz Konieczny said after accepting the award, „I try to introduce the German repertoire to the public, especially the works of Wagner. When I travel abroad, I take Polish music with me. During the promotion of the Baltic Opera Festival in New York, we presented, among others, Stanisław Moniuszko’s songs from the album I recorded with Lech Napierała. I am convinced that this is the best way to promote Polish culture—by showing it to the world alongside the greatest works of the world repertoire.”