Maria Zoi, mezzo-soprano
Maria’s Bio
Described as a real mezzo-soprano, Maria Zoi has been praised by critics for her wide vocal range and her unique, colorful timber.
She recently won 3rd Prize inthe Edward M. Murray International Opera Competition 2019.
Maestro Jose Carreras selected her amongst a few talented young Opera singers from all over the world to take part in his 4th International Singing Masterclass in Pesaro, Italy. She was also one of the 11best singers and the only mezzo soprano chosen to sing at the final concert of the program at Auditorium Pedrotti. In an interview with "Il Resto del Carlino" newspaper Maestro Carreras expressed his conviction that she will have a promising operatic career.
On stage Ms Zoi has compellingly portrayed several roles of the lyric mezzo-soprano repertoire includingRosina(Il barbiere di Siviglia/Rossini), Dorabella(Cosi fan tutte/Mozart), Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro/Mozart), Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus/Strauss), Flora Bervoix (La Traviata/Verdi), appearing in various freelance productions in Germany and Austria and at the Greek National Opera.
As a concert and Oratorio singer she has accumulated significant experience and performed at several distinguished venues worldwide, including: Gasteig, Munich;Kongresshalle, Nuremberg; Ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Athens; Ephesus Ancient Theatre, Turkey; Concert Hall (Aula) of Ludwig- MaximilianUniversity,Munich;Greek National Opera, Megaron Athens Concert Hall; Royal Theatre of Thessaloniki; Vienna City Hall; Concert Hall, Baden am Wien; Auditorium Pedrotti, Pesaro Italy; Opera America Center, New York, US.
Ms Zoi has collaborated with the Nuernberger Symphoniker, most Symphony Orchestras of her native country (Greek National Radio Symphony Orchestra, State Orchestra of Thessaloniki, City of Thessaloniki Symphony Orchestra, City of Athens Symphony Orchestra), and with Kammerorchester Orpheus Wien in a series of concerts dedicated to Greek Art Song.
She graduated in 2015 from the University of Music & Performing Arts in Munich with the highest qualification degree (Meisterklasse Gesang). Ms Zoi began her vocal studies in her native country Greecewhere she tutored under the direction of acclaimed Greek tenor Zachos Terzakis at the Acropolis Conservatory and Arts Center of Athens (Diploma in Opera with top Honors). Her music background includes piano and harmony studies since an early age.
In 2016 Ms Zoi was awarded a scholarship for the Bayreuth Festival from the Richard Wagner Association of the city of Duesseldorf.
Her passion for artistic perfection led her move to New York in 2016 where she has worked with world renowned Met Opera bass Dimitri Kavrakos.
Ms Zoi's love for the world of Opera goes beyond her career interests. Moved by the untimely passing of highly acclaimed Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky she interpreted the song "We say farewell" composed by Dr Michalis Andronikou (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada).
Before committing to her operatic career, Greek composer MikisTheodorakis discovered her natural vocal gift at the age of fifteen. She took part in numerous concerts and recordings interpreting works by Theodorakis and was regarded as one of the most authentic interpreters of his music.
Besides music Ms Zoi has also studied Communication & Mass Media at the National University of Athens.
She resides in New York and London.