Karol Kurpiński

Karol Kurpiński (1785–1857) was a composer, conductor, teacher and organiser of musical life. Kurpiński started working in Warsaw in 1810. He was second (to Józef Elsner) conductor of the National Theatre Orchestra and was made sole conductor and director of the National Theatre Opera in 1824 (Elsner was forced to vacate the position at his request). In later years, he was also director of the National Theatre, director of the Great Theatre (opened as such after the November Uprising), director of the School of Song at the Theatre and editor of the ‘Tygodnik muzyczny’ [Music Weekly]. Although Kurpiński was not on particularly good terms with Elsner, he recognised the brilliance of his most gifted pupil. He conducted the premiere of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 25, at the National Theatre on 17 March 1830.