Michaela Zajmi

Biography

The mezzo-soprano Michaela Zajmi is a graduate of the Prague Conservatory, where she attended the class of Prof. Yvona Škvárová. While still a student, and after graduation too, she garnered accolades at voice competitions, with the most significant including third prizes in the Female Opera Singer and Song categories at the 2009 Antonín Dvořák International Vocal Competition in Karlovy Vary. Furthermore, she received the Antonín Dvořák Society Award for the best performance of Dvořák’s song “Give a Hawk a Fine Cage” and a Special Prize from the J. K. Tyl Theatre in Plzeň. She was also a laureate of the Leoš Janáček International Competition (EMCY), came first at the Competition of Czech Conservatories in Pardubice, as well as at the Prague Singer international competition. While still studying at the conservatory, she attended master classes led by Peter Dvorský in Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou and was selected to perform at a concert series for the best participants in the Young Singers Exchange. She made her operatic debut as Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia at the J. K. Tyl Theatre in Plzeň, and subsequently performed other roles at the National Theatre in Brno, the National Theatre in Prague, the South Bohemia Theatre in České Budějovice and the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre in Ostrava. In 2010 she was shortlisted for the prestigious Thalia Award for her remarkable performances as Angelina in Rossini’s opera La Cenerentola at the National Theatre in Brno, and in 2013 she was nominated for the same prize for her portrayal of Giovanna Seymour in Donizetti’s Anna Bolena at the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre in Ostrava. At the National Theatre in Prague, she has appeared in the roles of Mozart’s Dorabella (Così fan tutte) and Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro), Rossini’s Rosina (Il barbiere di Siviglia) and Angelina (La Cenerentola), Mercedes (Bizet: Carmen), the Second Wood Nymph (Dvořák: Rusalka), the Fox (Janáček: The Cunning Little Vixen), Bersi (Giordano: Andrea Chénier), Charlotte (Massenet: Werther), etc. She has also performed at numerous concerts, with the Prague Philharmonia, Plzeň Philharmonic Orchestra, Chamber Philharmonic České Budějovice, Talich Chamber Orchestra, etc. Moreover, she sang at the Gala Opening Concert marking the 200th anniversary of the Prague Conservatory at the Rudolfinum and at the concluding concert of the 50th edition of the Dvořák Karlovy Vary Autumn festival. Michaela Zajmi also toured Italy to great acclaim and participated in the Glyndebourne Tour of England, within which she sang in Dvořák’s Rusalka. She appeared in guest performances in Japan given by the National Theatre Opera company and in 2014 performed with the Budapest Festival Orchestra at concerts throughout Europe. In January 2016, she performed at the Teatro Regio Turin as Fox in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen.