THE MARIE KRAJA INTERNATIONAL SINGING COMPETITION

ABOUT THE MARIE KRAJA INTERNATIONAL SINGING COMPETITION

While I was in Tirana for the 2011 Marie Kraja International Singing Competition, I had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Zhani Ciko, the General Director of the Albanian National Opera. He gave me a beautiful book with many photographs about the life and career of Marie Kraja, one of Albania’s foremost opera singers. I was moved by her Message for the Young and Message for Young Singers. 

Message for the Young
By Marie Kraja

"My message for the young is, in the first place, spiritual. Art is a discipline that requires a great moral force, perseverance, self-control, clarity and a spirit of sacrifice. It educates loyalty and respect for your colleague, boundless friendships and love for the people of your country who you represent. Everyone can be considered an artist in his job, given he does it conscientiously and lovingly. But those who create, being it art, science or any other walk of life, are true artists, because they benefit the society. Everyone has its own value in the society, but someone has put it that an artist experiences an immense dream of love for everyone. I say that each of you can become worthy if you are guided by the love for your fellowman."

Message for Young Singers
By Marie Kraja

"To the young singers, I recommend the repertoire that suits them, not the one which produces immediate effect. Both the national and world literature have an enormous wealth of musical values of many centuries. Make good use of the artistic legacy of the past, don’t imitate. Consider the way of understanding the music and find your natural way of expression. The role demands a detailed historic, literary and musical study. Any character, which is a complex and many-faceted one, represents its own world. There is no end to the study of a character, and that is the reason for so many diversified interpretations of the same character. Any actor highlights and adds values and views to the character."

UPDATES

Oct. 30: Great news! Sara Heaton won FIRST PLACE! Sara sang Violeta's Aria from La Traviata. Big celebration and party afterwards!

Ricardo Rivera was highly regarded by the Jury Members for his talent and fine singing. He was one of the Finalists and he gave a great performance, and he was an audience favorite too. The American Embassy Public Affairs Officer, Elizabeth Lewis, attended the two performances, and she was delighted. We thanked her and the Embassy for their support of our singers.

That's all for now! On our way home today!
Nancy

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Oct. 29: Tonight the Jury members for the Marie Kraja International Singing Competition saw seventeen singers from Albania, Brazil, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, and our two singers from the United States, Sara Heaton, soprano, and Ricardo Rivera, baritone. Each singer performed two classical arias with full orchestra on National Albanian Television.

At the end of the program, the jury members chose ten finalists and I am thrilled to report that both Sara and Ricardo were chosen to be finalists. They sang gloriously and are both strong competitors.

Now, tonight, Sunday, October 30th, all ten Finalists will each sing one aria chosen by the judges. Again, they will be filmed live for national Albanian television. It is getting more exciting by the moment. Stay tuned for the results coming soon!

From Tirana, 
Nancy

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Oct. 28:  Ricardo Rivera and Sara Heaton, our two singers from the United States which Encompass New Opera Theatre sponsored for the Marie Kraja International Singing Competition, have been rehearsing with the orchestra in preparation for the first day of competition --- which begins this evening at 7:00 PM and will be filmed on National Albanian Television. Tonight the finalists will be selected by the Jury. There are seventeen singers from around the world. So, tonight will be exciting. The American Embassy in Tirana has supported our singers and my participation in the competition and we are very grateful for their support and to have this opportunity to represent artists from the USA.

More to come and I'll keep you posted!  [Read more from Nancy on the Encompass Facebook page]

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Oct. 10: We're counting down the days!

3rd Place Winner:
Michelle Trovato,
Lyric Coloratura Soprano