Polish opera director Szymon Kormarnicki was born in Opole in 1989. Initially he wanted to become an archeologist and after highschool he started his studies in archeology at the University of Wrocław. During a student's exchange in Brno he got interested into Czech cinema and storytelling. After graduating as an archeologist he started to study stage directing at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Kraków, where he specialized in Dramaturgy.

During his studies he wrote and directed the play „The Superheroes” which was well received by the audience.

His journey with opera has started over four years ago when he was given the opportunity to work with Krystian Lada during a production of Bellini's „I Capuleti e i Montecchi” at Wrocław Opera. Since that time he has been an assistant director during nine more opera productions. In the seasons 2020/21 and 2021/22 he was hired as an assistant director in Wrocław Opera, where he revived five shows. He gained international experience by taking part as assistant director with productions at Janáček Theatre in Brno (Czech Republic), Saluzzo Opera Academy (Italy) and Dutch National Opera and Ballet (Netherlands).

Szymon made his debut as an opera stage director in the production of Antonio Lotti's „Giove in Argo” with Ars Augusta in the Gerhardt Hauptmann Theater in Görlitz, Szczawno Zdrój and Dresden's Palais im Großen Garten. The opera was very well received in the press.  His second opera staging - Mozart's „Le Nozze di Figaro” with students of  Music Academy in Poznań - was unfortunately cancelled due to pandemic restrictions. In July 2022 Szymon directed Handel's "Giulio Cesare". Most recently - in July 2023 - he directed Handel’s „Alcina” with participants of Handel Opera Academy. The show was well received by the public.  

Szymon is based in the Magdeburg, Germany. For business inquiries, feel free to contact him.