Ezgi Karakaya

Biography

Ezgi Karakaya was born in 1989. She studied opera at Anadolu University State Conservatory in 2005. In 2010 she graduated with first class honours. That same year, she started to work for Turkish State Opera and Ballet in Ankara. 

In 2016 she won first prize in 9th National Young Soloist Competition professional category which is organised in Izmir and received a special prize from one of the members of the jury – stage director Eija Tolpo offered her the chance to join a master class in Savonlinna Music Academy and to study with Professor Konrad Jarnot.

In 2017 she is selected as BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2017 finalist to represent Turkey. In there she did masterclass studies with world wide known American mezzo soprano Grace Bumbry.

In June 2018 by Semiha Berksoy Foundation Opera Prizes, she is awarded with “Best Young Generation Opera Artist Award”.

In September 2018 she won first prize in International Leyla Gencer Voice Competition and received Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra Special Award and Leyla Gencer Audience Award. 

In 2019 she won second prize in 17. International Marie Kraja Singing Competition  in Albania. 

In September 2022 she won first prize in 21. International Ottavio Ziino Opera Competition in Italy- Rome.

She performed the roles of Clarina (La Cambiale di Matrimonio), Volpino (Lo Speziale), Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus) Suzuki (Madama Butterfly), Mercedes (Carmen), Czipra (Der Zigeunerbaron), Bersi (Andrea Chénier), Metella (La Vie Parisienne), Amneris (Aida), Santuzza (Cavalleria Rusticana), Ulrica (Un Ballo in Maschera), Bersi (Andrea Chénier) in the state opera of Turkey. She made her European debut in the role of Amneris, with an invitation from Romanian Iasi National Opera for the production of Aida in February 2020.

She is currently still singing with Ankara State Opera house.