The competition, organised by Polish Opera, takes places every three years in Warsaw and has launched international careers for many of its previous winners. Last week, Samuel took part in the three rounds of the competition alongside current Royal Academy Opera student Zixin Tang and other young singers from around the world.
For his prize-winning performance at the final on Saturday 7 June, Samuel performed arias from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor with the Polish National Opera Orchestra and conductor José Maria Florêncio. The final was adjudicated by John Allison, Rosemary Joshua, Thomas Lausmann and several other prominent opera directors, artistic advisors and critics.
Samuel spent six years at the Academy, completing his undergraduate and master's degrees before joining Royal Academy Opera. During his time here he studied with Kate Paterson and was coached by Janet Haney and Jonathan Papp, and was awarded a Bicentenary Scholarship in 2023. Before graduating in 2024, Samuel secured a place on the Young Artist Programme at Bayerische Staatsoper, where he has since performed in productions of Lucia di Lammermoor, The Magic Flute and La bohème.
The Academy would like to congratulate Samuel on this wonderful achievement.