The Kosciuszko Foundation Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition

10/15/2024

CONGRATULATIONS to Polish-American soprano Magdalena Kuźma for winning the Kosciuszko Foundation 2024 Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition!

“We had a great semi-final round followed by a very difficult decision to select singers for the finals. We are very pleased with the very high artistic level of the participants,” said Thomas Lausmann, Artistic Director of the Competition to the Polish Press Agency. “We are very proud of Magdalena Kuźma, who demonstrated very good performance skills and that special artistic touch that moves us as an audience,” he added.

"I'm very proud of my performance in the competition. In the finals, I competed with singers who did not speak Polish. I so admire how hard they worked to learn beautiful music and difficult diction in order to participate in the competition. My goal as an artist is to present Polish repertoire so that those who don't know the music come to like it and eventually decide to perform Polish works," stated Kuźma.

Links to the full press release and the event photo gallery are in the comments.

10/12/2024

Welcome!

The Kosciuszko Foundation will present the final rounds of the KF Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition on Sunday, Oct. 12-13, 2024.

10/03/2024

Attention opera enthusiasts! A limited number of tickets are available for the final round of the KF 2024 Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition. The event will be held on Sunday, October 13, starting at 5:00 PM at the Kosciuszko Foundation's house in NYC. It will feature the performances of the top five contestants, an award ceremony, and a reception.

The Competition, presented under the artistic direction of Thomas Lausmann, Director of Music Administration at the Metropolitan Opera, will be adjudicated by esteemed musicians: Maestro Daniele Callegari, Beata Klatka, Director of the International Stanislaw Moniuszko Vocal Competition hosted by the Polish National Opera, Lee Ann Myslewski - Vice President of Opera and Classical Programming for Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts and an acclaimed, three-time Grammy Award-winning bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green, who will serve as an Honorary Juror during Sunday's auditions. We are also proud to feature two of the most sought-after opera singers of our times, Piotr Beczala, tenor, and Tomasz Konieczny, bass-baritone, who are Honorary Patrons of the Competition.

Established pianists Katelan Tran Terrell and Michał Biel will provide piano accompaniment for the contestants.
You are invited!

We are grateful to Ms. Krystyna Piorkówska for the generous donation for the Competition project and to Ms. Ann C. Zagoreos, Drs. Henry and Francine Sikorski, The Sembrich, The Connecticut Lyric Opera, Tomasz Konieczny, and the Gerda Lissner Foundation for offering special prizes.

The Kosciuszko Foundation Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition was established in 1968 to encourage young singers to study the repertoire of Polish composers and to honor Polish soprano Marcella Sembrich Kochanska, one of the greatest artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1883. After an enormously successful career, the renowned singer founded the vocal programs at both the Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute.

08/15/2024

Today’s the day! Applications for ’s Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition are due today! ✨🎶 Submit your application at www.kfsembrich.org

The KF Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition is open to singers of all voice types and of all nationalities who are 20-32 years old.

08/14/2024

The KF Sembrich Voice Competition application deadline is tomorrow, August 15!
Don't miss it: https://www.kfsembrich.org/

08/13/2024

Attention Singers! Applications for the KF Sembrich Voice Competition are accepted through August 15!
https://www.kfsembrich.org/how-to-apply

08/12/2024

The deadline for the KF Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition is approaching.
Apply by August 15: https://www.kfsembrich.org/

08/09/2024

The Big Seven of the 2024 KF Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition!

Attention all Singers: the deadline to apply is August 15!
https://www.kfsembrich.org/

Over $20,000 in monetary awards and performances are offered as competition prizes.

The competition is held under the artistic direction of Thomas Lausmann, Director of Music Administration at the Metropolitan Opera. A jury panel consists of esteemed musicians: world-renowned conductor Daniele Callegari, Beata Klatka, Director of the International Stanislaw Moniuszko Vocal Competition, and Lee Ann Myslewski, Vice President of Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.

We welcome an acclaimed opera singer, three-time Grammy Award-winning bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green, as Honorary Juror. We are also proud to feature two of the most sought-after opera singers of our times, Piotr Beczala, tenor, and Tomasz Konieczny, bass-baritone, who are Honorary Patrons of the competition.

08/08/2024

A spotlight on the KF Marcella Sembrich Voice Competition’s outstanding most recent winner, soprano Alexandra Nowakowski!

Since winning the Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition, has continued to impress audiences worldwide with her extraordinary talent. Known for her exquisite interpretations of Polish music, she brings the works of composers like Karol Szymanowski and Stanisław Moniuszko to life with a depth and passion that is truly remarkable.

She has covered roles such as Nannetta in Falstaff and Gilda in Rigoletto at The Metropolitan Opera and continues to perform throughout Europe. Her performances are celebrated for their emotional richness and vocal brilliance, earning her a place among the most promising sopranos of her generation.



Applications are open through August 15:
https://www.kfsembrich.org/

08/07/2024

🎉 We are excited to announce that Lee Anne Myslewski will join the Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition as a jury member! 🌟

Lee Anne Myslewski is a highly respected figure in the world of opera, with a career that spans over two decades. As the Vice President of Opera and Classical Programming at Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, she has played a pivotal role in nurturing and advancing the careers of countless young artists. Her deep understanding of the opera world, combined with her passion for developing emerging talent, makes her an invaluable addition to our panel of jurors.

In addition to her work at Wolf Trap, Lee Anne is a sought-after speaker and panelist at major industry events. Her insights and expertise are widely recognized, and she has been instrumental in curating innovative programs that bring classical music to a broader audience.

We are honored to have Lee Anne Myslewski participate in this year’s competition and look forward to her guidance for our participants!

Applications are open through August 15.
https://www.kfsembrich.org/

08/06/2024

We welcome world-renowned Italian conductor Maestro Daniele Callegari as a jury member of the KF Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition. Over the course of his decades-long career, he’s led top orchestras worldwide and is celebrated for his innovative approach to opera and symphonic music.

Applications are open through August 15: https://www.kfsembrich.org/

08/05/2024

We are thrilled to announce that the esteemed Polish bass-baritone .konieczny has joined the Foundation's Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition as an Honorary Patron! 🎶

Tomasz Konieczny is a celebrated opera singer known for his powerful voice and commanding stage presence. Over the past two decades, he has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious opera houses, including the Vienna State Opera, the , and the Bayreuth Festival.

Born in Łódź, Poland, Tomasz’s repertoire includes iconic roles such as Wotan in Wagner’s Ring Cycle, Alberich in Das Rheingold, and John the Baptist in Strauss’s Salome. We are excited to have him support and inspire the next generation of vocal talent!

Application deadline: August 15: https://www.kfsembrich.org/