The first day of auditions in Stage I of the 5th International Adam Didur Opera Vocal Competition is behind us. 34 participants performed in the Concert Hall of The Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice.
Today's auditions were covered by jurnalist Adam Rozlach from Polish Radio 1:
~The competition singing has resumed. Traditionally, the first stage takes place in the welcoming concert hall Symfonia of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice, an architectural masterpiece by Tomasz Konior, whose grand musical journey began here 17 years ago. A total of 57 participants from several countries (China, South Korea, Norway, Estonia, Ukraine, France, Slovakia, and Spain) entered the competition, with the majority—37 contestants—hailing from Poland.
In the first stage, contestants perform two arias with piano accompaniment: one baroque or classical and one romantic or late romantic. On the first day, the repertoire was dominated by works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Italian operas by Rossini, Donizetti, and Verdi. The performances were intriguing, as all singers were very well-prepared. Many delivered excellent renditions with captivating and rich interpretations.
It is difficult to predict the winner at this stage since the best contestants still face two more rounds, including one with an orchestra and opera costumes. However, a few participants from the first 34 who performed (23 singers will perform today) stood out significantly.
The auditions for the first stage start at 10:00 AM, which is no small feat for singers. While it’s not the middle of the night, the voice takes much longer to fully awaken, and dazzling with coloratura or delivering a profound interpretation at this hour is genuinely challenging. Still, every competition involves an element of luck: you draw a letter to determine your order of performance, and there is no room for negotiation. This year, the letter was “C.”
For the judges, the initial performances are also a challenge as they adjust to the acoustics, seating arrangements, and other conditions that could influence fair assessments of subsequent participants. After several performances, we all feel more at ease, and our ears adapt effectively to the new environment.
This year’s jury consists of artists from various generations, chaired by the renowned Polish baritone, Maestro Andrzej Dobber. By early evening today, they will decide which contestants advance to the second stage, which takes place tomorrow and the day after at the Silesian Opera in Bytom.
I promised to highlight a few of the first day’s standout singers. I always focus on vocal beauty, artistry, the interpretation of the pieces performed, sensitivity, musicality, expressiveness (both lyrical and dramatic), as well as technical mastery and the ability to execute challenging coloratura passages. Additionally, I value vocal culture and performance ease, which allow a singer to focus on artistic expression rather than overcoming technical obstacles.
The first to impress me was Magda Górniak, who sang Mozart and Massenet arias beautifully and charmingly, presenting them confidently and with clear intonation. Later, among many captivating performances, I was particularly moved by the exceptional Korean singer Hwanhee Lee, who delivered her performance with a deeply engaging voice, expressive singing, and a heartfelt interpretative message.
The most striking impression, however, came from another Polish singer, Gabriela Legun. Her name was the first I marked with “AWARD” in my notes. She possesses a beautiful, resonant voice with a lovely timbre. Her performance of Dido’s Lament from Henry Purcell’s opera moved me, as did her dramatic yet tender rendition of Lucrezia’s aria from Verdi’s I due Foscari. She sings with remarkable ease and artistic sophistication, showcasing interpretations framed in exceptional artistry. It’s particularly pleasing as she is listed as a soloist of the Bytom Opera, yet this was my first encounter with her outstanding talent.
Other notable performers included Chloe Leruth from France, whose dynamic and broad-range voice shone in Mimi’s aria (Donde lieta uscì). Her expressive singing in Frau Fluth’s aria from Nicolai’s opera was equally impressive, as she seemed to truly enjoy her performance. Chinese baritone Lantao Li also stood out with his noble and beautifully resonant voice, offering a natural and sincere performance of high artistic quality.
Finally, I must mention the remarkable Polish baritone Mateusz Michałowski. His performance was serious and commanding, particularly in Renato’s aria from Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera. His powerful and evenly produced voice reached its peak in Mozart’s aria Non più andrai, delivered with exceptional ease, naturalness, and cultural refinement.
Auditions continue on Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Around 7:00 PM, the names of participants advancing to the second stage will be announced.
Photos: Karol Fatyga.