Gabriella Létay Kisssoprano
Gabriella Létay Kiss graduated with honours from the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music in 1999 with a diploma in voice, and later, between 2001 and 2003, was a member of the Opera Studio. She has participated in master classes held by Anna Reynolds and Renata Scotto, among others. In 2000, she was awarded both first prize and a special prize at the Hungarian Radio Singing Competition. During the 2014/15 season, she was named Chamber Singer of the Hungarian State Opera season, where she has sung since 2001. She also makes regular concert appearances, including in Bergamo, Verona, Montreal and Abu Dhabi. In 2006 Hungaroton issued a world premiere release of César Franck's complete songs as performed by Létay Kiss. Her lyric mezzo-soprano roles include the title role in La Cenerentola, Rosina (Il barbiere di Siviglia) and Cherubino (Il nozze di Figaro). Since 2005, she has been singing soprano roles, which include Liu (Turandot) Mimi (La boheme), the title roles in Madama Butterfly, Rusalka and Suor Angelica, as well as Marguerite (Faust), Pamina (The Magic Flute), Desdemona (Otello) and Leonora (Il trovatore).
Education and training:
Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music, Faculty of Vocal and Opera Studies, university degree with honours (1999)
Opera Studio (2001-2003)
Master classes:
Brigitte Fassbaender
Júlia Hamari
Anna Reynolds
Renata Scotto
Competitions:
Hungarian Radio Singing Competition: First Place and Special Prize (the latter awarding an opportunity to perform a concert abroad) (2000)
Awards and distinctions:
Chamber Singer of the Hungarian State Opera –2014/2015
Professional work:
Hungarian State Opera (2001-) – vocal soloist
Concerts:
Hungarian Radio's Marble Hall
Bergamo
Merano
Verona
Rimini
Montreal
Dubai
Abu-Dhabi
Audio recordings:
The complete songs of Cesar Franck (HUNGAROTON, 2006) – the first time they were ever recorded as a complete set.
Principal roles:
Lyric mezzo-soprano roles (until 2005):
C. Gounod: Roméo et Juliette – Stéphano
G. Rossini: La Cenerentola – title role
G. Rossini: The Barber of Seville – Rosina
W. A. Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro – Cherubino
Soprano roles (after 2005):
G. Puccini: Turandot – Liú
G. Puccini: La Bohème – Mimi
G. Puccini: Madama Butterfly – Cio-Cio-San
W. A. Mozart: The Magic Flute – Pamina
A. Dvořák: Rusalka – Rusalka
P. I. Tchaikovsky: Onegin – Tatiana
A. Boito: Mefistofele – Margherita/Elena
G. Bizet: Carmen – Micaëla
G. Verdi: Otello – Desdemona
G. Puccini: Suor Angelica – title role
C. Gounod: Faust – Marguerite
G. Puccini: Turandot – Liù
G. Verdi: Il trovatore – Leonora
Performance at the Opera Festival:
17. 06. 2016.
Bizet: Carmen
