The International Hilde Zadek Singing Competition

My encounter with Hilde Zadek was definitely the decisive factor for me to become a singer! I had my first lesson with her at the age of 18 and learned invaluable things; for example, that singing should be uncomplicated and that you should never be hoarse after singing! Likewise, that all compositions should be sung with the same technique. Later in my career, such credos helped me through many a difficult part and the busy everyday life in the theatre. I also benefited immensely from her way of conveying how to create a role and interpret it. Hilde Zadek's inimitable style made for wonderfully funny and intense singing lessons!

How did your involvement with contemporary music influence your further artistic path? Do you still perform modern music today?

In 2017, I sang a wonderful world premiere, Rivale, a one-person piece by Lucia Ronchetti, at the Staatsoper Berlin. For this production, I was nominated for the "Der Faust" theatre prize.  New music demands an open mind and a willingness to experiment, but also a confident singing technique and awareness of one's own vocal limits. I consider myself an all-rounder and enjoy singing a repertoire ranging from Baroque to contemporary music.

Did the competition lead to engagements and facilitate contacts to agents?

As winner of the 5^th Hilde Zadek Competition, I was able to give a Lieder recital at the Arnold Schönberg Center in Vienna - a lovely experience, which deepened my interest in the compositions of the 2^nd Viennese School. I sang numerous roles such as Hänsel, Octavian, Dorabella, Cherubino, Nicklausse, Rosina and Donna Elvira at opera houses such as the Staatstheater Darmstadt, Staatstheater Nürnberg, Deutsche Oper Berlin and Staatsoper Berlin, Volksoper Wien, Staatsoperette Dresden, Deutsches Nationaltheater Weimar and Theater Kiel, among others. In 2011, I won 1^st prize at the "Das Lied - International Song Competition” in Berlin and gave recitals in Germany and abroad, for example at the Lucerne Festival, at the Konzerthaus Basel and the Austrian Cultural Forum in New York, as well as concerts at the Vienna Konzerthaus, among others, and at various festivals.

Amira Elmadfa

What impressed me most was the open warmth and naturalness of Kammersängerin Zadek. She was an incredibly generous, fun-loving and honest person. That came as a very positive surprise for me. Here was one of the greatest singers ever, and she was so completely nice and “down to earth” and made it her mission to promote young singers and give them a platform – I found that very, very impressive. After the competition, I was able to experience her privately several times, to work with her vocally and learn from her as a mentor. The car rides with her at the wheel are something I will remember all my life. She drove a model that had been adapted for her, she was over 90, and I had the most fun, because – amongst her many other talents – she could probably have become the first highly successful female racing driver. At that time, I thought: when you are over 90, you want to be like Mrs Ks. Zadek. And that most certainly did not just apply to the courageous driving style!

Every opportunity to present oneself on the singers' market, which as we all know has become very competitive and “overcrowded,” can be considered a great blessing. When great singers and important directors sit on the jury, it gives young singers an enormous boost. It is not uncommon for singers to be hired, even if they don’t actually win, so it’s important to take part in competitions and also to gauge oneself to a certain extent. The pointers and suggestions – especially from the great singers of previous generations – are worth their weight in gold; I received some that I still think back upon fondly, today. I am quite certain that every public performance – which for young singers is often in the form a competition – can have direct consequences and open doors. Word-of-mouth is still the fastest route to success, no matter how many, today, place their hope in sophisticated PR strategies. Because if Agent X or Opera Director Z or Singer Y says the right thing to the right people at the right time, it will open doors and help young artists get ahead. This is why such opportunities for presentation and competitive situations are so enormously important for the development of young talents; their value really cannot be overstated! Today, I would like to thank all those involved in the Ks. Hilde Zadek Foundation for their tireless efforts!

Respectfully, Daniela Fally