Mezzo soprano Stefania Toczyska was born in Grudziadz (Poland) and was an IVC Laureate in 1973. That same year she made her professional debut in the title role of Carmen in Gdansk – this role was a the start of an international career that made her move to Vienna, where she performed at the Staatsoper. She made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera house as Marfa in Khovanschina and took leave of the house with the Principessa di Bouillon. She was heard in 2015 as Mamma Lucia in Cavalleria Rusticana at the Salzburg Festival.