TIRANA, May 30/ATA/ The Albanian Telegraphic Agency brings to light rare photographs documenting the staging of the opera “Sons of Skanderbeg.”
The opera was staged at the “Aleksandër Moisiu” Palace of Culture in Durrës, notwithstanding the absence of a resident opera company in the city. The performance was organized to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. The photographs were taken in January 1968, in Durrës.
The opera went on to enjoy considerable success, with performances staged dozens of times in cities including Durrës, Tirana, Shkodër, Elbasan and Korçë. Around 200 amateur artists from Durrës took part in the production, which featured two choirs — one of adults and another of children drawn from local schools. The only professionals involved were the artistic directors, among them Jorgjie Truja, Koço Uci, Enver Plaku and Pjetër Dungu.
The opera “Sons of Skanderbeg” was composed by Abdulla Grimci, with a libretto by Matish Gjeluci. The conductor was the distinguished Ermir Dizdari.
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