Tall and with an imposing presence, it was always clear when Mikołaj Bońkowski’s Lieutenant Zuniga was on stage. Bońkowski projected the self-absorbed lieutenant admirably, making the most of his moments and keeping a sense of the underlying drama.
ROBERT HUGILL, OPERA TODAY
Mikołaj Bońkowski can be heard as Zuniga, powerful in voice and presence.
DR HELMUT CHRISTIAN MAYER, OPERA ONLINE
As Prison Guard (also appearing as George Benton), Mikołaj Bońkowski conveys that in this kind of prison, death is part of the daily routine, and captivates with his sonorous bass‑baritone.
MARK ROHDE, DER OPERNFREUND
The refugee priest Fotis comes across as a completely different type. He is the opera’s deep spiritual voice – and what a voice the Polish bass‑baritone Mikołaj Bońkowski has. A golden and finely nuanced tone, at home in the Byzantine music and the Greek‑Catholic church music on which Martinů draws in the opera, and, as a trained actor, Bońkowski moved with authority and well‑executed gesture.
VALDEMAR LØNSTED, INFORMATION.DK
In the second row, the robust Zuniga of Mikołaj Bońkowski convinces.
FLORIAN MAYER, ORPHEUS
Among the many smaller roles, Mikołaj Bońkowski stands out in my memory for his imposing bass and commanding stage presence as Swallow.
JOCHEN RÜTH, DER OPERNFREUND
Bass Mikołaj Bońkowski made a splendid impression – terrifying and demonic in his acting, commanding a large vocal volume and employing it with ease.
DOLCETORMENTO.PL
The migrants’ spokesman is the preacher Fotis, portrayed by Polish bass‑baritone Mikołaj Bońkowski – a vocally thrilling and dramatically convincing portrayal.
SØREN SCHAUSER, BERLINGSKE ONLINE
Mikołaj Bońkowski, as George Benton and Prison Guard 1 in Dead Man Walking, impressed with a voluminous voice and strong stage presence, leaving his mark on both characters.
MARK ROHDE, DER OPERNFREUND
Bass Mikołaj Bońkowski made a splendid impression – terrifying and demonic in his acting, commanding a large vocal volume and employing it with ease.
TOMASZ PASTERNAK, ORFEO.PL
