The accolade marks another milestone in the career of the 28-year-old Polish singer, who has already performed at prestigious venues such as the Komische Oper in Berlin and La Monnaie in Brussels.
After her performances in Verdi’s early works Nostalgia and Rivoluzione in Brussels, a local critic wrote: "With her clear and even emission, profound beauty in pianissimos and vocal elegance, Gabriela Legun has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the stage of La Monnaie de Bruxelles."
Legun’s upcoming engagements include debut roles as Amelia in Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra and Micaela in Bizet’s Carmen at the National Opera in Warsaw.
In addition to winning the top award and a cash prize of EUR 15,000, she also received the Audience Prize and the Katowice Mayor’s Prize.
Second prize went to another Polish soprano, Aleksandra Blanik, and third prize was awarded to Ukrainian mezzo-soprano Iryna Haich.
All the prizewinners are scheduled to perform at a gala concert on Sunday.
First held as a national event in 1979, the Adam Didur Competition became international in 2004.
This year’s 5th edition coincided with the 150th anniversary of the birth of Adam Didur, a famous Polish bass singer who performed at leading venues such as the Metropolitan Opera in New York and La Scala in Milan.
After retiring, Didur returned to Poland and founded the Silesian Opera, which debuted in June 1945 with a production of Moniuszko’s Halka.
Adam Didur. Image: NAC/Public domain
Didur died of heart attack on January 7, 1946, after collapsing during a singing class at the Music Conservatory in Katowice.
(mk/gs)