Introducing Krisztina Szabó, Assistant Professor of Voice and Opera –
UBC School of Music
The UBC School of Music is pleased to welcome Krisztina Szabó, who is joining the faculty as Assistant Professor of Voice and Opera, beginning in the 2020-21 academic year.
“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Krisztina Szabó to our faculty. She is a consummate performer, whose experience across a diverse range of repertoire will benefit our students and no doubt lead to some exciting research projects,” says Dr. T. Patrick Carrabré, Director of the School of Music.
Krisztina Szabó is a Hungarian-Canadian mezzo-soprano, highly sought after in North America and Europe as an artist of supreme musicianship and stagecraft, and well-known for her promotion and performance of contemporary Canadian works. She exemplifies today’s modern singer: vocally versatile, possesses excellent stage prowess, paints vivid character portraits on both the opera and concert stages, and a stellar interpreter of new music. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario, a postgraduate degree from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and was a member of the voice faculty at the University of Toronto from 2014-2020.
“The Voice and Opera Divisions are pleased to have Krisztina Szabó join us here at UBC. Krisztina brings a wealth of experience in a variety of repertoire which will enhance the offerings of the Divisions, and will complement the research and teaching of many of our colleagues,” adds Prof. Nancy Hermiston, Chair of the Voice and Opera Divisions. “She has had an extensive career in opera, early music, contemporary music, oratorio and recital repertoire, offering our students expertise in many genres.”
Szabó has been declared by Opera Canada to be an “exceptional talent” and opera blog, Schmopera wrote: “Her instrument is one-of-a-kind and she has cemented herself as a darling of Canadian experimental music and opera… her sensibility and sensitivity to the material is truly inspiring.” In her hometown of Toronto, Canada, she has been nominated twice for a Dora Award for Outstanding Female Performance (Opera), and won a Dora Award in June 2019 for her work with Against the Grain Theatre in Kopernikus.
Vancouver audiences will be familiar with Krisztina Szabó from her past appearances with Early Music Vancouver and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Her début recital at UBC will happen on Nov. 4th, as part of the school’s Wednesday Noon Hours series.
“I am excited to be joining the prestigious UBC School of Music as Assistant Professor of Voice and Opera,” she says. “I am looking forward to meeting and working with the students, to being a part of an amazing team of colleagues and to enjoying the beautiful UBC campus, the first-rate facilities and spectacular surroundings!”
Welcome to UBC, Krisztina!