Katarína Hasprová

Katarína Hasprová (born 10 September 1972) is a Slovak singer and actress known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence. She gained international attention representing Slovakia at the Eurovision Song Contest 1998. Katarina has built a diverse career in music, theatre, and television. Her performances span popular music, musical theatre, and film, making her a well-rounded entertainer.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Hasprová was born in Bratislava into a family of artists. Her mother, Soňa Valentová, is a renowned actress, and her father, Pavol Haspra, was a prominent theatre and TV director. Growing up in this creative environment, she developed a passion for performing. After high school, she pursued formal training in musical theatre at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno, Czech Republic. Soon, Hasprová began appearing in musical productions both in Slovakia and abroad. She performed in classic stage musicals such as West Side Story and the rock musical Hair. These roles earned her recognition in the musical theatre scene and set the foundation for her future success.

Breakthrough and Eurovision Song Contest 1998

Hasprová’s breakthrough came in 1997 when she won the top prize (Golden Lyre) at the Bratislavská Lyra music festival with the song “Jedno zbohom”. This victory launched her solo singing career and, importantly, earned her the right to represent Slovakia at the Eurovision Song Contest 1998. Slovakia’s national broadcaster STV had used the Bratislavská Lyra festival as the selection event. For Eurovision, an internal selection chose the song “Modlitba” (meaning “Prayer”), composed by Gabriel Dušík with lyrics by Anna Wepperyová.

At Eurovision 1998 held in Birmingham, UK, Hasprová performed “Modlitba” live as the Slovak entry. She sang in Slovak, taking the stage sixth in the running order on the night of May 9, 1998. The ballad received a modest reception in the voting. Slovakia scored only 8 points (all from Croatia) and placed 21st out of 25 participating countries. 

Recording Career and Albums

Following Eurovision, Hasprová focused on recording music and live performing. In 1999, she released her debut album, a self-titled pop record featuring Slovak-language songs. The album helped establish her as a solo artist in Slovakia. One of its singles, “Izabel,” gained popularity. Its music video received heavy rotation on Slovak television. Building on that success, Hasprová released a second studio album in 2002, further showcasing her vocal range and musical style. These albums blended pop with influences from her theatre background.

Throughout the 2000s, she continued to record singles and perform in concerts. Her songs often appeared on Slovak radio and TV music programs. While she did not pursue a large international pop career, Hasprová remained a beloved figure in Slovakia’s music scene. She frequently appeared at prestigious music festivals and galas, both as a competitor and as a guest performer. In addition to her own songs, Hasprová sometimes interpreted classic Slovak pop hits on television specials.

Musical Theatre Success and International Work

Alongside her pop career, Katarína Hasprová became a leading lady in musical theatre. She returned to the stage after Eurovision, taking on major roles in Slovak and Czech productions. Notably, she starred in the famous Czech musical Dracula, performing alongside Czech legend Jiří Korn. This production, one of the most successful Czech original musicals, broadened her fanbase and showcased her dramatic singing skills. Hasprová also portrayed iconic characters in world-famous shows: she was cast as Grizabella in Cats and appeared in local productions of Les Misérables (known as Bedári in Slovak) and the ABBA musical Mamma Mia! on Bratislava’s stage. 

In 2017, Hasprová achieved one of her greatest professional honors in musical theatre. She took on the role of the sinister Mrs. Danvers in Rebecca. This stage musical was produced by the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre in Ostrava. Her powerful performance earned critical acclaim. In fact, Hasprová won the prestigious Thalia Award (2017) in the Czech Republic for Best Actress in a Musical, for her portrayal of Mrs. Danvers. Over her stage career, Hasprová has performed in numerous other productions, from classic operettas to modern Slovak original musicals. In 2018, for example, she co-starred in the Slovak musical Rasputin, alternating in the role of Tsarina Alexandra in a story about the Russian historical figure. 

Television Appearances and Recent Activities

In addition to stage and music work, Katarína Hasprová has appeared regularly on television. She has taken part in various entertainment shows, music competitions, and talk shows in Slovakia, often as a special guest or performer. Audiences saw her on programs like the nostalgia series Legendy popu (“Pop Legends”) and the game show Milujem Slovensko (“I Love Slovakia”), where she showcased her singing repertoire. Hasprová has also tried her hand at acting in TV films and movies. She played a supporting role in the Czech film Czech Made Man (2011) and appeared in the Slovak-Czech TV drama To horké léto v Marienbadu (2007), among other screen roles. 

Even in recent years, Hasprová remains active in the arts. She continues to perform in concerts and musical productions, and she often participates in televised charity events and cultural programs.