Mezzo soprano Maria Jagusz started her career with Opera North and has subsequently worked both as an operatic and concert singer working in the major houses in the UK and Europe. Her roles included Carmen, Dorabella (Cosi Fan Tutte), Cherubino (Marriage of Figaro) Hansel (Hansel and Gretel) Rosina (Barber of Seville) and Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus).
Alongside her singing career Maria coached emerging artists on their interpretation of operatic roles and stage technique. This led to her directing several operas, operettas and musicals for educational purposes. For Longborough Festival Opera she has directed La Boheme, Orpheo e Euridice, Little Sweep, Dido and Aneas and Sweeney Todd.
Maria was always passionate about introducing youngsters to Opera and has acted as a workshop leader for all the major opera houses in the UK, and has found it a huge pleasure to direct Hansel and Gretel and The Downfall of Don Jose for Playground Opera and work with Jessica May.