Ukrainian soprano Mariana Poltorak has won First Prize at the 21st Ada Sari International Vocal Artistry Competition in Nowy Sącz, southern Poland.
A graduate of the Music Academy in Kraków, Poltorak settled in Poland nine years ago. She is currently working on her doctorate about the song output by 20th-century Lviv composers. Poltorak also received an award for the best interpretation of a Polish composition – Halka’s aria from Act IV of Stanisław Moniuszko’s opera Halka.
Sopranos Jessica Seo Jin Lee from South Korea and Etīna Emīlija Saulite from Latvia shared Second Prize, while Polish baritone Artus Garbas won Third Prize.
Founded in 1985, the Ada Sari International Vocal Artistry Competition is held every two years. The event is dedicated to the memory of its patroness – a prominent Polish soprano. Born Jadwiga Szayer in 1886, Ada Sari studied music in Kraków, Vienna and Milan. After making her professional debut in Rome in 1909, she developed a spectacular career which included performances in some of the most prestigious venues in Europe, the United States and South America.
Ada Sari returned to Poland in 1934 and sang at the Grand Opera in Warsaw. During World War II, she directed an underground opera studio in Warsaw and started teaching. After the war she continued to perform in operas and on the concert stage for two years, then devoting herself exclusively to teaching. She passed away in 1968.
