The outstanding coloratura soprano received the surprise announcement on 8 March 2026, during the curtain call following the season’s final performance of Lucia di Lammermoor: she is to be the recipient of one of the Hungarian State Opera’s greatest honours in the 2026/27. The swan-shaped award, created by the Herend Porcelain Manufactory, was presented by artistic director András Almási-Tóth amid the celebration of colleagues and the audience.
In the current season, alongside the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor, Zita Szemere also made her debut as Pamina at the Opera House in Miklós Szinetár’s production of Die Zauberflöte. She appeared on stage as Musetta in La bohème and performed as a soloist in Mahler’s Symphony No. 8. During the remainder of the season, the Melis György Prize–winning coloratura soprano will portray Melinda in Bánk Bán, sing Gilda in Rigoletto, and will also make her debut as Marzelline in the premiere of Fidelio. In the next season, she will perform the role of Mária Gara in Hunyadi László for the first time.
Zita Szemere graduated in 2014 from the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, where she studied under Magda Nádor and Ingrid Kertesi. While still a university student, she won first prize in her category at the 7th National and 2nd International József Simándy Singing Competition in 2011. She has been performing at the Hungarian State Opera since 2014, where she has delivered memorable performances in roles including Blonde (Die Entführung aus dem Serail), Constance (Dialogues des Carmélites), Despina (Così fan tutte), Forest Bird (Siegfried), Marie (La fille du régiment), Norina (Don Pasquale), Oscar (Un ballo in maschera), Zerbinetta (Ariadne auf Naxos), and Zerlina (Don Giovanni).
With the chamber singer award, modelled after the Kammersänger:in title known from German opera houses, the management of the OPERA wishes to express its appreciation for its outstanding active soloists, appreciating their talent and stage performance. A maximum of three people can hold the title of Chamber Singer, which also comes with special remuneration during the season, an opera singer, who has not received the Kossuth Prize yet, may be awarded the title a total of three times. Since 2024, the award has been presented during the season at the end of performances, creating an opportunity for the audience to share in the surprise and joy of their favourite artists.
