Date
August 8 — 15, 2026
Participants
max. 16 active participants
Date
August 8 — 15, 2026
Participants
max. 16 active participants
Once a year, the gates of Klosterhof St. Afra in the picturesque town of Meißen on the River Elbe open to talented students and professional singers. Together with dedicated and experienced teachers, opera singer and vocal coach Lucja Zarzycka devotes herself to each participant with the utmost attention and personal guidance. The focus is centred on the traditional Italian Belcanto school of singing, based on the philosophy of Giovanni Battista Lamperti ("Vocal Wisdom"), which aims to bring heart, mind and body into harmony. The aim of this masterclass is to help participants unlock their artistic potential through detailed, practical tasks and to guide them on their individual path to artistic maturity. The diverse program of the course is tailored to the holistic development of artists' personalities and includes the following elements:
Individual Vocal Lessons
Open to all masterclass participants. This approach provides individualized feedback, learning through listening, and inspiring exchanges within the group.
Coaching with Highly Qualified Pianists
Support from experienced solo rehearsal pianists from renowned opera houses, who assist with musical expression and stage presence.
Acting Lessons
Strengthening self-awareness and self-confidence. Deepening the understanding of the roles and music performed.
Group Work
Focus on body awareness, posture, breathing techniques, articulation, and support. Promoting concentration and body awareness.
Two Public Concerts
Performances in Meißen and Radebeul, where agents, theater directors, and other professionals are invited.
Since 2023, the summer masterclass has become an integral part of the ↗ Meissen Cultural Summer and is supported by the city of Meißen. With a warm welcome, the course has found its place in the city's program of cultural events. The concerts enrich the program with first-class musical performances and create an unique atmosphere that delights both the audience and the artists.
Tue, August 11th 2026
7.00 pm
Lutherkirche Radebeul-Ost
⚲ Am Kirchplatz 1, 01445 Radebeul
Free entry!
Fri, August 15th 2026
7.00 pm
St. Afra Church
with wine sales and personal encounters with the artists after the concert..
⚲ Freiheit 13, 01662 Meißen
Free entry!
Lucja Zarzycka studied classical singing first at the Academy of Music in Krakow, then in Dresden. She began her career as an opera singer in the soloist ensemble of the Semperoper Dresden. After changing her vocal specialty, she appeared as a dramatic soprano in numerous leading and title roles (including Tosca, Aida, Abigaille, Forza-, Fidelio-Leonore) on the great stages of Germany and Poland, as well as in many concert halls in Europe. At the same time, Lucja has devoted herself to teaching for over 20 years, conducting master classes and workshops. Her students can be found on opera and concert stages worldwide. In her teaching Lucja follows the old Italian vocal school of bel canto by G. B. Lamperti.
Naomi Shamban was born in Los Angeles and grew up in a family of musicians. She studied piano and voice in Lübeck and musical theater accompaniment and conducting in Dresden. She received her first engagement while still a student at the National Theater in Brno, Czech Republic. After graduation, she went to the Hamburg State Opera and then to the Dresden State Operetta, where she was a study leader and appeared as a conductor. She joined the Saxon State Opera as a solo répétiteur in the 2019/20 season.
Hugo Wieg is a singer, director and lecturer at the Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg. He has not only performed numerous opera roles himself, but has also directed many operas.
As a singer (bass) in a permanent engagement at the Theater Gera, he sang roles such as Sarastro, Leporello, Don Alfonso, Figaro, Bartolo, Philipp, Grand Inquisitor, Mephisto (Gounod), Dutchman and King Henry.
At the Bad Hersfeld Opera Festival, he directed the operas "Abduction from the Seraglio", "The Marriage of Figaro", "Cosi fan tutte", "The Magic Flute", "Hansel and Gretel" and "Rigoletto" from 2006. At the 2001 Halle Handel Festival he staged the oratorio "Lazarus". He staged the operettas "Graf von Luxemburg" and "Maske in Blau" at the Theater Gera and several French one-act operettas at the Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg, where he has been working as a permanent lecturer in the subject of performing arts since 1995 until today.
To be announced.
Please contact Lucja to inquire about an available spot and to arrange an audition if necessary. ☇ Contact
Please fill out the ❐ registration form and email it to Lucja. A deposit of 200 € (non-refundable) is required for registration and guarantees a spot for the participant.
The remaining amount is to be transferred by June 15, 2026 at the latest. (Information on the transfer can be found in the registration form).
Costs for the master class 2026:
| TBA | Course fee incl. lunch |
| TBA | Course fee with accommodation and meals in a single room |
Passive participants are highly welcome!
Costs per day:
| € 60 | incl. lunch and active participation in the group work |
