Students from the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music and its affiliated Bartók Conservatory delivered an outstanding performance at the first-ever Hungarian State Opera National Singing Competition, taking home top honors in both the university and secondary school categories.
In the university division, Balázs Bán (bass) secured 1st prize, while Luca Dolhai (soprano) earned 2nd place. Both are first-year master’s students in oratorio and art song at the Liszt Academy, studying under Péter Fried and Andrea Meláth, with répétiteurs Katalin Alter and Ferenc János Szabó.
In the secondary school category, Márk Ella, a bass vocalist and student of the Bartók Conservatory, claimed 2nd place, affirming the Conservatory’s high level of vocal training.
The competition, which will now be held biennially, aims to support the next generation of Hungarian opera singers by identifying and nurturing exceptional talent. In his opening address, Dr. Szilveszter Ókovács, General Director of the Hungarian State Opera and President of the Jury, emphasized the institution’s commitment to building a strong foundation for Hungarian opera through close collaboration with vocal educators and students.
The distinguished jury included opera professionals and music educators such as András Almási-Tóth, Tamás Bátor, Prof. Dr. András Batta, Júlia Pászthy, and Dávid Zsoldos.
All finalists performed with live orchestral accompaniment, conducted by Liszt Prize-winning conductor István Dénes, a lifetime member of the Opera House.
Beyond the main prizes, special recognitions were awarded. Balázs Bán received the Papageno media package, Müpa Budapest Special Prize, and a guest spot at the Éva Marton International Opera Studio Masterclass. Márk Ella was invited on a behind-the-scenes tour of the House of Hungarian Music, while Botond Benedek Gulyás, also from the Liszt Academy, won dining and performance tickets at the Opera House.
Finalists and their mentors were also gifted with exclusive Opera House experiences, including box invitations for summer performances and season passes to the 2025/26 Star Evenings with Piano series.
The Special Prize for Preparatory Singing Teachers was awarded to Magdolna Szabó, solo singing instructor at the Bartók Conservatory.
The event marked a significant step in building a future for Hungarian opera, firmly anchored in professional excellence and educational collaboration.
Source: Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music (University)
About the Author
