American soprano triumphs in Marije Kraja festival

TIRANA, Nov. 1 – American soprano Sara Heaton has been announced the winner of the 12th edition of the Marije Kraja international operatic festival held last weekend in Tirana. Earlier this year, the young American soprano captivated audiences as Miranda in the US premiere of Tod Machover’s Death and the Powers at the A.R.T. in Boston and with Chicago Opera Theater.
The second prize went to Brazilian soprano Luciana Distante while the third prize was shared by Kazakhstan’s Lada Kyssykova and Albania’s Arjol Xhaferrit.
Albania’s internationally renowned soprano Inva Mulo was the president of the jury.
Eighteen international opera singers were short-listed for this year’s edition of the Marije Kraja operatic festival, named after one of Albania most famous sopranos who a few days ago was commemorated on her 100th birth anniversary.
Established in 1999 soon after Marie Kraja passed away at the age of 88, the festival was initially held as a national competition, before becoming Albania’s only internationally renowned operatic festival in the next few editions.
The careers of several young performers including Albanian tenor Josif Gjipali, soprano Evis Mula, Belgium’s Micheal Fisch and Turkey’s Perihan Diana Nayir kicked off at the Marie Kraja festival.
In 2009, young Albanian soprano Evis Mula managed to sign a two-year contract with La Scala, Milan’s world famous Opera House after winning the Marie Kraja festival.
The festival’s jury is composed of some of the most prestigious directors of European and American opera houses.