HZF scholar 2022-24

The Hilde Zadek Foundation is very happy to announce that Le Bu won both 1^st Prize and the Birgit Nielsson Prize at this year´s OPERALIA Voice Competition. OPERALIA is most important international voice competition in the world. It was initiated in 1997 by Placido Domingo in Mexico City and takes place in a different city every year. OPERALIA is attended by representatives from all the major opera houses as well as leading agents for the Performing Arts.

In September 2024, Le Bu was welcomed as a full ensemble member at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He also has numerous international engagements, and his success at OPERALIA will open further doors. We extend our warmest congratulations to this exceptional singer and look forward to his future accomplishments.

HZF scholar 2022-24

Greta completed her apprenticeship at the Accademia Teatro alla Scala in September 2024. The HZS heard her as Anaide in Nino Rota´s comic opera Il Cappello di Paglia (The Straw Hat) on the main stage of La Scala. Greta has developed beautifully, artistically and personally. She was excellent in every sense of the word. Her gorgeous voice has grown to a full and round Soprano. She is now represented by the artist management agency InArt and already has several exciting prospects lined up.

HZF scholar 2022-24

Jenni made her debut at the Musikverein Goldener Saal in Vienna in September 2024 with Bruckner´s Te Deum and the Magnificat by Franz Schubert. At the start of the autumn 2024 season, Jenni became a full ensemble member at the Vienna State Opera. She will continue with some roles from last season, such as Senta in Geisterschiff (Ghost Ship), a children’s opera based on The Flying Dutchman (R. Wagner).

In addition, Jenni will take on the roles of Lady-in-waiting to Lady Macbeth in the opera Macbeth (G. Verdi), the Voice of an Angel in Palestrina (Hans Pfitzner), conducted by Christian Thielemann, and the First Lady in the new production of The Magic Flute (W.A. Mozart). Rehearsals start in December. She will also be covering for Giunione in Monteverdi´s The Return of Ulysses to his Homeland. Congratulations, Jenni, on joining the VSO ensemble – a dream come true!

HZF scholar 2021-22

Liangliang is in his second season at the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe. He is singing the role of Harvey in The Wreckers, an opera by Ethel Symth. The premiere was on 29 September 2024. Liangliang is one of those singers who can fill small roles with intense presence, and Klassik Blog singles out his “impressive” performance.

This season, Liangliang will also sing the Notary and the Police Inspector in Der Rosenkavalier (R. Strauss) as well as Dr. Grenvil in La Traviata and the King in Aida (both G. Verdi) as well as roles from his first season: Angelotti in Tosca (G. Puccini), the High Priest of Baal in Nabucco (G Verdi). The HZF wishes him all the best!

HZF scholar 2021-23

In July, Anna debuted at the Rheingau Music Festival as a soprano solo in the Carmina Burana (Carl Orff), accompanied by the Orchestra Sinfonica e Coro Sinfonico di Milano, conducted by Emmanuel Tjeknavorian.

Back at the Frankfurt Opera, she is appearing as Axinja in Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (D. Shostakovich), which premiered on 29 September 2024. Anna sang also in the new production of Lulu (A. Berg), which premieres on 3 November. She plays the part of a 15-year-old girl.

Bass-baritone Le Bu learnt of his award during a ceremony at the Metropolitan Opera on 28 October 2022. HZF chair Prof. Maria Venuti, board member Prof. Christiane Libor and Le’s teacher, the legendary James Morris, were on hand to share his delight.

Liangliang Zhao, Bass (28) and HZF scholarship holder 2021/2022, has been invited out of 750 applicants to audition on the stage of the Vienna State Opera on 15 Dec. (Hilde Zadek’s birthday). Congratulations, Liangliang, and best of luck!

Congratulations to Anna Nekhames, the first scholarship holder of the new era! Her scholarship is for the Opera Studio of the Vienna State Opera.

The moment has arrived: the new homepage of the Hildegard Zadek Foundation is now online. We hope that our new internet presence will be a source of inspiration and foster involvement with the Foundation.