Soprano · singer · performer

Biography

A voice spanning opera, contemporary music theatre, musical theatre and the concert stage.

Photo: Grega Stamenović

Short biography

Gaja Sorč is a Slovenian soprano, singer and performer whose work combines classical voice with a compelling theatrical presence.

She graduated from the Academy of Music in Ljubljana, where she studied with Barbara Jernejčič Fürst, and continued her training with Charlotte Lehmann, Martina Zadro, Ellen Rissinger, David Boothroyd, Alenka Slokar Bajc, Liora Maurer and Sharon Mohar.

She performs in opera, contemporary music theatre, musical theatre and concert projects. New Slovenian productions, art song and the integration of singing and acting hold a special place in her work.

Black-and-white portrait of soprano Gaja Sorč — Portrait · photo Grega Stamenović

Education and early career

From vocal studies to her first opera roles.

She began her vocal training with Marjan Trček at the Rakovnik Music School. After secondary school, she was admitted to the Academy of Music in Ljubljana, where she completed her vocal studies with Barbara Jernejčič Fürst in June 2018.

That September, she made her debut in the title role of Radovan Gobec’s operetta Hmeljska princesa. In 2020, she sang the leading role of Julija in Aleš Makovac’s opera in Novo mesto. In summer 2021, supported by the Elizabeth Luxton Memorial Scholarship, she attended the Berlin Opera Academy and performed Nella and Lauretta in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi.

In the new Slovenian opera Hiša usmiljenja by Tomaž Svete, she created the roles of Minka and Tina. The production was co-produced by Slovensko komorno glasbeno gledališče and Cankarjev dom.

Opera and contemporary music theatre

Roles that unite singing, text and dramatic development.

Her principal roles in recent seasons include Sandrina in Mozart’s La finta giardiniera, Nika in the new Slovenian opera Kit na plaži, Angela in the opera musical Kette and Nada in the opera mystery Zločin v Blatnem dolu.

In the chamber opera Platno / Canvas by Nina Šenk, she appeared in the Slovenian premiere at Cankarjev dom, followed by performances at SNG Maribor and the Piccolo Opera Festival in Gorizia. Her operatic work thus ranges from the classical repertoire to premieres of contemporary Slovenian works and music theatre for young audiences.

Explore the productions →

Gaja Sorč in the leading role of Nika in the opera Kit na plaži — *Kit na plaži* · as Nika · photo Žiga Lah KoštoMay

Selection

Roles and productions

A selection of opera, music-theatre and musical roles. A more comprehensive overview is available in the repertoire.

NikaKit na plažiIztok Kocen · opera→AngelaKetteAleš Makovac · opera musical→NadaZločin v Blatnem doluDušan Bavdek · opera mystery→

SandrinaLa finta giardinieraW. A. Mozart · opera—

Nella / LaurettaGianni SchicchiGiacomo Puccini · opera—

PetraMala nočna glasbaStephen Sondheim · musical—

VeronikaVeronika DeseniškaLeon Firšt · musical—

Full repertoire →

Gaja Sorč during a concert performance — Concert performance

Concerts, art song and new music

From art song to Mayor concert stages.

She regularly takes part in concert projects and performances of new Slovenian works. With pianist Vita Kovše, she gave the world premiere of the project Nov pogled na slovenski samospev by composer Samo Vovk; the songs were also professionally recorded.

As a soloist, she has appeared at the opening gala of the Imago Sloveniae festival at the Slovenian Philharmonic, at the anniversary concert of the Partisan Choir in Cankarjev dom’s Gallus Hall, at Slovenia’s national Reformation Day ceremony, and with the Orchestra San Marco at Teatro Verdi in Gorizia.

Her concert work encompasses art song, opera arias, contemporary music, cabaret, and collaborations with choirs, chamber ensembles and orchestras.

Competitions and distinctions

Awards

Selected awards, scholarships and notable results at international singing competitions.

2025
Third PrizeFrancesco Paolo Neglia International Singing Competition, Enna, Sicily
2025
FinalistHans Gabor Belvedere International Singing Competition, Bern
2023
Third PrizeMaria Labia International Competition, Malcesine
2023
Semi-finalistGrandi Voci International Singing Competition, Salzburg
2022
Semi-finalistEbe Stignani International Competition, Imola
2021
First PrizeMusica Goritiensis International Competition
2021
Elizabeth Luxton Memorial ScholarshipBerlin Opera Academy

Musical theatre · dubbing · studio

A voice beyond the opera stage.

Her musical and music-theatre credits include Moje pesmi, moje sanje, Annie, Pepelka, Druščina, Mala nočna glasba and Veronika Deseniška. As part of the creative teams at NVA, Ritem and VSI studios, she voices animated characters and commercial projects; in the film Smrkci she provided the Slovenian voice of Smurfette.

Gaja Sorč in a black-and-white studio portrait — Photo: Grega Stamenović

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