IWCB Charity Opera Concert by Julia Radosz (in the middle) to benefit the Ukrainian refuge relief efforts. (source: Courtesy of the International Women's Club of Bratislava)
Slovakia, a country known for its rich cultural heritage, has a hidden gem in its arts scene – the world of opera. While opera may be considered a challenging and demanding segment of the arts, it's also where some of Slovakia's most remarkable talents have found their voices and their passion.
The names of Edita Gruberová, Lucia Popp, Gabriela Beňačková, and Peter Dvorský are well-known in operatic circles and beyond. The tradition continues with many singers of the recent generations gaining notoriety on the stages of the world.
Below are two women who carry on the tradition of the operatic arts. Although based in Bratislava, they carry their art through all the world, all the while representing the country they have made their home: Slovakia.
Eva Blahová: Mezzo-Soprano and Maestra
Professor Eva Blahová is a renowned vocal pedagogue in the world of opera singing, and the teacher of many successful singers. She also had a wonderful career as a mezzo-soprano singer. As a performer, she performed solo performances not only in Slovakia, but also in most of Europe, Asia, the United States and Canada. Her recordings were published by the Opus and Supraphon publishers, and the repertoire also had a significant presence of contemporary Slovak composers, whose work she premiered many times.
For many years she worked at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava and the Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica. In addition, she lectured at several universities in the world, for example in Cambridge, Tokyo, Osaka, Oslo, Vancouver, Green Bay, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Busan, Turku, and Krakow. Since 2003, she has been a permanent member of the American International Czech and Slovak Voice Competition jury. She has also founded and worked on numerous international music festivals. In addition, Professor Blahová was the artistic director of opera at Janacek Opera at National Theater Brno, Czech Republic.
Julia Radosz: Spinto Soprano
American-Canadian soprano, Julia Radosz, moved to Slovakia from the U.S. to join her husband, Slovak conductor, Martin Mázik, and has found a new home here. Engagements this past season include Ballo in maschera at The National Theater of Croatia – Split, La Boheme in a 36 performance tour throughout Spain/France, and La Boheme in Florida. She has performed with companies such as Opera Naples, Annapolis Opera, Wichita Grand Opera, and Opera Orlando. Her first European engagement was in 2020, Korngold’s Die tote Stadt at National Moravian-Silesian Theater in Ostrava, Czech Republic, but was cancelled during rehearsals due to Covid. Julia produced a humorous look at her time there.
We asked Julia about her favorite opera to perform: “It is hard to say definitively what is my favorite opera – as I grow to love deeply every character I sing. However, recently, as I have been preparing for an upcoming engagement, I have fallen in love with Lady Macbeth (Verdi’s Macbeth). Her character is delicious, multi-faceted, with music that really suits my voice. Although one might be tempted to call her evil and manipulative – I have been seeing a different side of her. Her mad scene alone denotes deep regret at her actions. She is a typical victim of her own ambitions, and doesn’t stop to think about consequences until it is too late. In some ways, she is very naive, and her music vacillates between stentorian phrases, and beautiful bel canto lines that show her fractured nature. I don’t think I will get bored singing this lady…”
Both of the featured ladies are active members of the International Women’s Club of Bratislava (IWCB), additionally promoting their art within the international community of Slovakia. They are not just singers or teachers; they are storytellers, and their stories continue to enchant, connect, and inspire audiences worldwide.
Eva Staronova is an entrepreneur in natural product industry with her company based in Los Angeles, CA. She is also a board member and Christmas Bazaar coordinator of the International Women's Club of Bratislava.
Author: Eva Staronova
