The classical music festival that brought internationally renowned opera singers to the capital wraps up after 10 days.
The second edition of the Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival filled Skanderbeg Square in Prishtina with fans of classical music.
The festival brought to the Kosovo capital several internationally recognised artists and musicians, including South Africa’s Pretty Yende, Italy’s Franco Vassallo, France’s Erza Muqolli and Jean-Bernard Thomas, and Ukraine’s Anna Bondarenko, accompanied by the Orchestra of the Kosovo Philarmony and later by the Okarina Children’s Choir.
Pretty Yende, Franco Vassallo, Erza Muqolli, Jean-Bernard Thomas, and Anna Bondarenko, accompanied by the Orchestra of the Kosovo Philarmony and later by the Okarina Children’s Choir perform at the Skanderbeg square in Prishtina, Kosovo. Photo courtesy of Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival.
“I am very happy that the Municipality of Prishtina is the strongest supporter of the Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival for this year, and will continue to remain so in future,” Perparim Rama, mayor of Prishtina, wrote on his Facebook.
Kosovar tenor and organizer of the International Opera Festival, Rame Lahaj, performs at the Gala event of the Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival, in the Skanderbeg square on July 31, in Prishtina, Kosovo. Photo courtesy of Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival.
He added that the presence of world-renowned artists and of Rame Lahaj himself put Prishtina on the world music map, transforming it into an important focal point for the development of art and culture.
The festival started on July 21, and wrapped up with the Gala event “Rame Lahaj & Friends” on Sunday.
Kosovar tenor and organizer of the International Opera Festival, Rame Lahaj, performs at the Gala event of the Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival, in the Skanderbeg square on July 31, in Prishtina, Kosovo. Photo courtesy of Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival.
“I would want this festival to become a tradition, as it is the only one of its kind in the country and region. This festival will influence and precede the promotion of opera music in Kosovo, especially with the arrival of international artists, regardless of the financial conditions and costs we have,” Rame Lahaj, world renowned tenor and founder of this festival said.
French singer, of Kosovar origin, Erza Muqolli and Rame Lahaj. Photo courtesy of Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival.
One night raised particular attention, dedicated to the first Kosovar classic music singer, Nexhmije Pagarusha, also known as the “Kosovo nightingale”.
The songs of late Pagarusha, known for her unique voice and style of singing, drew nostalgia among the public as opera singers from Kosovo and Albania, Arta Jashari, soprano, Mirlinda Koci, soprano, Zana Abazi-Ramadani, soprano, Klodjan Kaçani tenor, Armand Likaj, baritone and Granit Musliu, tenor, accompanied by pianist Mennan Bërvenik, performed her songs as well as other works of Albanian composers, such as Prenk Jakova, Çesk Zadeja, Rauf Dhomi, Tonin Harapi, Avni Mula and more.
The Italian baritone, Franco Vassallo, performs at the Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival.
The classical music concert took place alongside other important cultural events taking place in the capital during the summer, such as the Sunny Hill Festival, Manifesta 14, Prishtina Gastronomy Festival, livening up Prishtina and adding to the possibilities for international visitors.
South African soprano Pretty Yende, one of the brightest stars of the classical music world, was the special guest of the festival. She performed under the direction of the Italian conductor Valerio Galli. Photo courtesy of Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival.
More than 3000 guests enjoy the Gala event of the Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival, in the Skanderbeg square on July 31, in Prishtina, Kosovo. Photo courtesy of Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival.
More than 3000 guests enjoy the Gala event of the Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival, in the Skanderbeg square on July 31, in Prishtina, Kosovo. Photo courtesy of Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival.