Maria Jagusz trained as a dancer before taking up a place at the Royal Northern College of Music where she was awarded the Ricordi Prize for Opera. Further scholarships enabled her to continue her studies at the National Opera Studio. As a singer Maria has worked as soloist for most of the leading opera companies in the U.K and Europe.
She has sung most of the major mezzo roles including Carmen, Hansel, Cherubino, Dorabella, Rosina, Nicklaus and Orlofsky. She has worked for several major companies notably English National Opera, Opera North, Scottish Opera, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Opera De Lyon, Montpelier Opera, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos and the Lyric Opera Singapore.
She made her Royal Opera House debut as Dimitri (Fedora) with Freni and Carreras and then went on to sing the role with Guleghina and Domingo. Maria is a regular recitalist and has performed at The Royal Festival Hall, Royall Albert Hall and the Barbican.
She taught movement at the Royal Northern College of Music and coaches young singers at many of the leading conservatoires. Her work with young students lead her to form MJ-UK Music and Arts. The company gives singers a chance to perform in productions, concerts and recitals.
Her first visit to Longborough was in 1992 when she sang Rosina for Travelling Opera. Since then she has worked as a workshop leader for Longborough’s education programme. She worked as assistant director for Alan Privett on both Carmen and The Magic Flute and this led her to direct several productions for the Young Artist programme including The Little Sweep, La bohème, and Sweeney Todd.
She is very excited to direct Orfeo Ed Euridice and is hoping that it will give the young artists the opportunity to explore new ideas and skills which will help them in their future careers.