Polish American mezzo-soprano Matilda Smolij has performed internationally in opera, recital and concert settings. She is a two-time recipient of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition Encouragement Award, a first prize winner of the Marcella Kochańska Sembrich International Competition, and a finalist in the 2024 John Alexander National Vocal Competition.

Her operatic repertoire includes roles such as L’Écureuil in L’enfant et les sortilèges, Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro, Juno in Orpheus in the Underworld, the Third Lady and Third Spirit in Die Zauberflöte, Zita in Gianni Schicchi and the Cricket in The Cunning Little Vixen.

As a concert soloist, she has performed with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra (Louisiana) and, in Cincinnati, with Musica Sacra, Seven Hills Baroque and the Bach Ensemble at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, in works including Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Mass in C, Haydn’s Mass in C, and selections from Xerxes, Carmen and Le nozze di Figaro.

Smolij is passionate about bringing music to new audiences and performs regularly with Cincinnati Opera’s outreach programs, sharing opera and art song in schools, retirement communities and other public venues.

An advocate for Polish repertoire, Smolij has given recitals highlighting Polish art song for the Polish American Symphony Orchestra and the Torino Music Festival and has collaborated with the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland.

Smolij is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and is a student of Thomas Baresel. She will join the Maryland Opera Studio this fall.