Voice Jury

Winner of the 2001 European Franz Kafka Award for Art Participation, Dr. Jelena Nosková has been one of the principal operatic vocal coaches at the Czech National and State Opera Theatres since 1992. Her specialty is Bel Canto and the operatic works of Mozart, Rossini and Verdi, as well as Russian Romantic repertoire. Dr. Nosková graduated as a concert pianist and operatic vocal coach from the Odessa Music Academy, in the same class as renowned opera singer Maria Gulegina. Upon graduation, she spent a year training with celebrated pianist and recording artist Valentina Kameníková. At the National Theatre, Dr. Nosková works extensively with the house soloists, helping artists develop nuanced interpretations of their roles for the stage, with particular emphasis on compositional form and style. In addition to her work with the National Theatre soloists, artists travel from as far as the United States, South America, Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom to prepare repertoire with her for upcoming performances. As a répétiteur she is best known for her unique method,“From Piano to Stage”, which she has developed over her many years of experience preparing singers for time sensitive engagements when an orchestra rehearsal is not possible. This method is particularly useful for young artists, who often aren’t afforded the opportunity for extensive orchestra rehearsals. Her artistic affiliations include collaborations with: Enrico Dovico, Richard Hein, Vladimir Chernov, Gabriela Beňačková, Roberto Paternostro, Walter Attanassi, Jan Latham-Koenig, Sir David Pountney, Peter Dvorský, Eva Randova, Anda-Louise Bogza, Miguelangelo Cavalcanti, Dalibor Jenis and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Marco Guidarini and Andriy Jurkevych, among others. An active soloist, Dr. Nosková has been featured in opera and concert engagements in the Czech Republic, Russia, France, Italy, Finland, Switzerland and the Netherlands. At the Estates Theatre in Prague — where Mozart’s Don Giovanni was premiered in 1787— she has been featured as the harpsichordist in over 300 performances. As a result, she is a specialist of recitative interpretation and ornamentation in various operatic styles. Fluent in Czech, Russian and English, Dr. Nosková is a highly sought after instructor for young artists. She is a professor at the Prague State Conservatory and the The Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (HAMU), as part of the Opera Faculty and Opera Studio. She also recently joined the Faculty of Theology at Charles’ University as a musical and liturgical coach. Additional collaborations include work with Prague Summer Nights Music Festival, the University of Connecticut, and as a jury member for several international voice competitions. As an advocate for mentoring and helping foster opportunities for international artists in the Czech Republic, Dr. Nosková is the founder of an international festival for young singers, based in Prague. She is also the creator and editor-in-chief – in collaboration with authors Maria Kronbergerová and Jiří Kotouč – of Word-for-Word Translations of Opera Arias in 10 Languages, an edition published by Jonathan Livingston.