The 19th Festival took place in Tirana at the Theatre of Opera and Ballet on March 29th, 30th, and 31st, 2022. Around 300 singers applied for their participation, and joined our auditions. 14 singers were qualified to the semifinals phase of the Festival that took place in Tirana. During the semifinals on March 29th and 30thall singers presented one aria in each of the two semi final nights. The final took place on March 31st with 8 qualified singers from the semifinals competing with their best aria. In parallel to this competition, singers also competed for a song prize with the most famous repertoire of world classic song legends. During the whole competition, singers were accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of the Theater of Opera and Ballet directed by the British conductor, Martin André.

This Festival was broadcast live on the Top Channel through a terrestrial and satellite broadcast for Europe and North America. Famous guest artists were invited to perform during the Festival. Media dedicated great interest, and promoted the Festival through TV reports and interviews with the artists, producers, etc.

The Prize winners of the 19th Festival were:

First Prize “Marie Kraja”	Mr. Chuan Wang, tenor (China)
Second Prize	Ms. Suada Gjergji, soprano (Albania)
Third Prize	Ms. Johanna Will, soprano (Germany)
Song Prize	Ms. Catherine Wethington, soprano (USA)

The Jury of the 19th Festival:

Mr. Nicholas Payne, Director of “Opera Europa” for 20 years (London)
Ms. Zana Çela, Founder and President of the International Festival “Maria Kraja” (Albania)
Ms. Julia Lagahuzère, Director General of “Opera for Peace” (Paris)
Ms. Carolin Wielpuetz, Director of Artistic Administration, MusikTheater an der Wien (Vienna)
Mr. Alessandro Di Gloria, Casting Director of the Teatro Massimo (Palermo)
Mr. Plamen Kartaloff, Director of Opera and Ballet (Sofia)
Mr. Alessandro Ariosi, Founder of Ariosi Artists’ Management (Switzerland, Italy, USA)
Ms. Ervis Gega, Artistic Director of the Classical Philharmonic (Bonn)
Ms. Sue Spense, Director of Askonas Holt Arts Management (London)
Ms. Vikena Kamenica, lead soloist, Theatre of Opera and Ballet (Albania)

President of the Festival:

Ms. Zana Çela

Artistic Director and Producer:

Artistic Director: Martin André (UK)

Director:

TV, and Stage Director: Redi Treni

Conductor:

Martin André (UK)

The International Festival of Operatic Singers “Marie Kraja” organized by the association “Culture-Media-Art is encouraging such a promoting image.

The Prize winners of the 19th Festival were:

The Jury of the 19th Festival:

President of the Festival:

Artistic Director and Producer:

Director:

Conductor:

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