On 1 June 2025, during the curtain call following a performance of Don Carlo, the outstanding soprani was surprised with the announcement that she would be one of the recipients of the Hungarian State Opera's greatest honour for the next season. She was presented with a swan-shaped award made by the Herend Porcelain Manufactory by artistic director András Almási-Tóth, amidst the celebration of her colleagues and the audience.
In the current season, Kinga Kriszta performed the role of Liù in the new production of Turandot, took part in performances of Artaban, debuted as Clara in Porgy and Bess, and portrayed the title role in Madama Butterfly both in Taiwan and Budapest. She also appeared as Elisabetta di Valois in Don Carlo.
The soprano, born in Oradea, earned her degree in solo singing at the University of Debrecen under the tutelage of Professor Éva Mohos Nagy. She began her career in the choir of the Csokonai National Theatre in Debrecen, where after a few years she also appeared in solo roles. Following leading roles at the National Theatres of Pécs and Miskolc, she debuted at the Hungarian State Opera in 2010 as Papagena in The Magic Flute. Over the past decade and a half, she has sung numerous leading roles. Among her signature performances are Adèle (Die Fledermaus), Iluska (John the Valiant), Mária Gara (Hunyadi László), and Pamina (The Magic Flute), but audiences have also seen her in roles such as Gilda (Rigoletto), Melinda (Bánk Bán), and Micaëla (Carmen). Beyond opera performances, oratorio singing also plays an important role in her life. In addition to her artistic career, she is the mother of two children.
In the 2025/26 season, Kriszta Kinga will perform the role of Gizella in the symphonic version of Stephen, the King, and portray Crescimira in a concert performance of Erkel’s opera King Stephen. She will also originate the role of Countess Löwenjoul in the world premiere of György Selmeczi’s Royal Highness, debut as Elvira in L’italiana in Algeri, and once again appear in the title role of Madama Butterfly.
With the chamber singer award, modeled 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. In the past decade, the accolades were presented at the end-of-season gala. As an innovation, they are now presented during the season, allowing the audience to share in the surprise and joy of their favourite artists. Previously during the season, Kinga Kriszta's husband tenor István Horváth was also awarded the prestigious title.átvehette a díjat.
Photo by Valter Berecz
