Baritone Marcin Bronikowski has died at the age of 55.

The Polish National Opera announced the news stating, “With deep sorrow we received the news of the sudden death of Marcin Bronikowski – an outstanding baritone appreciated in Poland and abroad.”

Born in Warsaw, Bronikowski studied at the K. Szymanowski College of Music, at the Bulgarian Academy of Music in Sofia, and the Accademia Rossiniana in Pesaro with Alberto Zedda. He went on to complete his studies with Carlo Bergonzi at Teatro alla Scala, Milan.

In his early career, he won many competitions including the First Prize in the Julian Gayarre International Singing Competition in Pamplona and in the International Singing Competition in Bilbao, as well as prizes in competitions in Belgium, Poland, Norway, and Finland.

He also took home a distinction at the 1993 Cardiff Singer of the World competition.

Bronikowski went on to appear at many of the greatest stages in the world including the Royal Opera House, Teatro alla Scala, the Bregenz Festival, and major opera houses in Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, Asia, and Australia.

He sang a wide variety of repertoire including Bel Canto, Verdi, Verismo, and French Opera. He also sang concert repertoire, ranging from Hädel to Orff

With the Polish National Opera, the baritone made his debut in 1994 in the role of Albert in Massenet’s “Werther.” He went on to perform in productions of “Carmen,” “Eugene Onegin,” “Don Carlo,” and “Lucia from Lammermoor,” among others,

Bronikowski was awarded the Honorary Ace in 1996 for his artistic and in 2010 the president of the European Parliament honored him with the Pearl 2010 award.

His international recordings include “Maria Stuarda” with Edita Gruberova, “Nightingale” also with Edita Gruberova, “Il Pirata,” “Jacobin” and “Les Huguenots.”