Soprano Sydney Kaczorowski
discovers, researches, and performs little-known classical music, especially that of Slavic origin. While undoubtedly passionate about the great classics, she also seeks to expand the standard repertoire and also inspire others to diversify with ethnically colorful repertoire.
Ms. Kaczorowski made her European opera debut in July 2023 as Donna Elvira in Prague Summer Nights’ production of Don Giovanni at the historic Estates Theater. She was asked to step into this role while originally at the festival to cover Donna Anna. She also debuted a partial role as First Sprite/Rusalka in a concert of Czech opera scenes under the direction of Timothy Cheek at Divadlo Oskara Nedbala. An active recitalist, Ms. Kaczorowski’s recent credits include Songs of Love and Nature: an Earth Day Recital at Carlow University, a lecture recital on Eastern European art music at Westminster College, and Soprano Soloist/Coronation Mass in C major by Mozart, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh. Other recent concert credits include Soprano Soloist/ Schubert Mass in G minor and a concert of French romances and Copland art songs, and she was seen with the Pittsburgh Festival Opera this spring as a teaching artist and Sandman/Dew Fairy/Hansel and Gretel. Upcoming concerts this season include recital programs at Chatham University and Church of the Redeemer Pittsburgh.
Ms. Kaczorowski’s ethnomusicological research and command of Slavic languages has enabled her to enchant audiences with repertoire little-heard outside of their home countries. Recitals in 2022 include a Russian romance recital with works by Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky, Rossini’s Soirees musicales, and 10x10: a Musical Exploration and Discovery, in which Ms. Kaczorowski sings works inspired by folk music, stories and other elements of national heritage. It is comprised of works by ten composers in ten languages, though she can sing in nearly twenty. This has been heard at Effetto Musica in Vignola, Italy, The Grand Halle in Johntown, PA and at Duquesne University, where it was originally given as a lecture recital for her Master’s Degree thesis project. In 2020, she won First Prize in the Balkan division of the Romansiada Vocal Competition. Under non-pandemic circumstances, she would have travelled to Moscow to compete in a round of finals and sing at the Kremlin Palace Theater at a gala concert.
Ms. Kaczorowski’s additional performing credits include her time as a dancer with the Tamburitzans, a Slavic folk arts ensemble. She learned from world-renowned dance choreographers and music arrangers and had the opportunity to tour around the entire continental U.S. Her time with the ensemble led her to her passion for Eastern European folk music and to her becoming specialized in folk-inspired classical music. She received her Master’s Degree in 2021 from the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University, where she studied with Xiu-ru Liu. Ms. Kaczorowski also earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance at Duquesne University where she studied classical piano with David Allen Wehr which also included playing in masterclasses for distinguished pianists Barbara Nissman and Yeeha Chiu. In addition to running her private studio, Ms. Kaczorowski also currently works in the musicianship department at Duquesne University as a teaching assistant.