Ilonka Szoyer

Ilona Szoyer (1880–1956) was a soprano opera singer who had a prominent career in early 20th-century Budapest.

Early life Ilona Szoyer (alternatively known as Ilonka Szoyer) was born in Debrecen on July 24, 1880. She played the role of Clairette in La fille de Madame Angot at the Magyar Theatre in 1900, and later on featured in Adolf Mérei's Hungarian-language adaptation of Die lustige Witwe.

Szoyer was the first Hungarian to perform the role of Musetta in Giacomo Puccini's La Boheme with the Royal Hungarian Opera. She performed the role in 1906 while Puccini was in the audience alongside Elza Szamosi and József Gábor.

Szoyer's voice was captured by several early recording companies including the Gramophone Company, Lyrophon, and Odeon.

Szoyer retired from the stage in 1915. She died in Budapest in 1956.

Personal life Szoyer married conductor Márkus Dezső. She had two children, Imre Márkus and Ily Márkus-Szoyer.