Fifteen int’l singers competing in Marije Kraja opera festival

Albanian mezzo-soprano Irida Dragoti and Kosovo soprano Marigona Qerkezi are among the shortlisted contestants in this year’s edition scheduled to be held from October 31 to November 1 at the Opera House in Tirana.
TIRANA, Oct. 23 – Fifteen international singers, of whom only two from Albania and Kosovo, have been selected to participate in the 14th edition of the Marije Kraja international opera festival which this year brings several novelties at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet.
“Differently from previous editions, this edition brings two simultaneous competitions during the festival’s three nights, the competition with the most beautiful arias and the song competition with the most famous and popular opera repertoire,” says Zana ȥla, the festival’s producer and host.
“This festival has now emerged on the agenda of Europe’s most important opera festivals, attracting young singers from all over the world and generating talents on the Albanian and international stage,” adds ȥla.
Albanian mezzo-soprano Irida Dragoti and Kosovo soprano Marigona Qerkezi are among the shortlisted contestants in this year’s edition scheduled to be held from October 31 to November 1 at the Opera House in Tirana.
In last year’s edition, South Korean bass singer Ji Sang Ryu was announced the winner of the 13th edition of the Marie Kraja opera festival which made its comeback after a one-year absence due to financial problems.
Established in 1999 soon after renowned Albanian soprano 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.