Ann Felicia CierpikOpera singer, teacher, Polonia activist and Karol Szymanowski music promoter
by Gene Harubin Zygmont
Anyone attending a Polish cultural event in Los Angeles in the decades of the 70's and early 80's would almost certainly see a short, plump, elderly lady, dressed in Polish costume or vintage clothes, holding aloft a ribbon bedecked sign emblazoned with the word SZYMANOWSKI. Occasionally, she might scold the audience for not sufficiently supporting her efforts to promote the music of Karol Szymanowski. This seemingly tireless, banner waving dynamo was Anne Felicia Cierpik.
She was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 23, 1900. Her parents, Felicia (Bartkiewicz) and Hypolit Cierpik, spoke Polish at home and taught Anne and her brother, Kazimierz, to read and write in that language. Additionally, the children were sent to Polish School on Saturdays, where they studied Polish history, culture and arts.
Her lifelong interest in music was fostered by piano and voice lessons throughout her teenage years. She sang in concerts and with several local opera companies even while she pursued her career as a teacher.
Ms. Cierpik received her degree in History from the University of Chicago in 1925 and, thereafter, took graduate courses in Education and American History at DePaul, Columbia and Northwestern Universities. For 45 years, she taught in the Chicago Public School System: as an elementary teacher (1920-1937); as High School instructor in History and Foreign Languages (1937-1965).
After retirement, she moved to California, where she devoted her time to painting and to promoting the music of Karol Szymanowski. Her mission, and obsession, in life, was to make his music as well known in America as that of his compatriot, Chopin. To this end, she donated all her time, energies and monies.
In 1972, she established a Szymanowski Fund at the Kosciuszko Foundation to propagate his music. A recording of his works for piano, by Donn Alexandre Feder, was made possible through this grant. In 1977, several concerts featuring his compositions were also heard in the Los Angeles area: a program presented by the Matinee Musical Club; the Stabat Mater at the Loyola-Marymount Spring Chorale under director Paul Salamunovich; a performance of the Symphony No 2 in b flat major, Op. 19, by the Westside Symphony conducted by Bogidar Avramov; and a concert of songs and soli for piano and violin at Loyola Marymount University, in October, 1977.
Ms. Cierpik's fondest dream came partially true when the Szymanowski Centennial was held at USC in 1982, but she did not live to see the West Coast premiere of his opera, King Roger, produced in 1988 by the Long Beach Opera.
When she died, on June 30, 1985, Szymanowski lost an ardent champion and the Polonia one of its most colorful activists.
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.