The “Opera Gala” show will bring together the symphonic orchestra, choir, ballet troupe, and soloists in a grand performance under the baton of conductor Sergio Alapont and with choreography and direction by maestro Renato Zanella.

The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet announced Thursday that the audience will experience some of the most beloved arias of classical music, enjoying pieces by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, and Strauss.

“The show is a way to celebrate music with all the artists. Performance features several musical pieces by various composers, each expressing love. Music, voice, and dance are living arts that must remain in the theater,” Renato Zanella said in remarks at a press conference to introduce the show.

“I’m pleased to be here for this important event. I would like to emphasize one word—joy—it is the thread that connects the artists to the audience, and it is this concept that should be felt by the people who have filled the hall to experience the music,” conductor Sergio Alapont said.

For the artists, it is beautiful that this show takes place in the spring, a season associated with rebirth, as they explain what these evenings will bring.

The Opera Gala will last two hours and bring 150 artists of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet to the stage.

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Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation Blendi Gonxhja shared in the social media moments from this gala night.

United Dance Albania brought a youthful spirit of passion for culture, the development of creative and artistic skills, the comparison opportunity with foreign dancers, through a one-week workshop with foreign and Albanian trainers with a debut at a gala night in the Opera and Ballet House.

This initiative launched under the artistic direction of Ilir Shaqiri with the support of the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation brought together 158 ballet talents from Italy, Malta, Albania and Kosovo and from the Diaspora in the capital, under the motto “Once you visit Albania, you wish to return”. /k.s/p.s./

This year, the “Grand Gala” brought on stage 150 artists from Elbasan alone, under the direction of maestro Antonio Pine and the performance of Elbasan String Orchestra, the Children’s Cultural Center and the Afërdita Brass Band.

Mayor Llatja affirmed that 2023 has been full of activities from the field of theater, music, puppet theater, dance, etc.

Llatja took the opportunity also to honor with the title “Honor of the city” 3 artists, who have given a lot to this theater, artistic life and the city./k.s/p.s./

He highlighted the great successes that Albanian football has achieved during last year.

Duka said that this gala evening was organized with the aim of evaluating and stimulating the best, believing that we create inspiring models that the younger ones should follow.

“Our game – certainly the most beautiful in the world – besides being a race and a competition, it is also an educational and carries the idea of unity. We live in a society where there is a lot of debate, there are strong clashes of ideas and often, tension and conflict. But, there is a place where everyone puts aside differences, and where they come together, men and women, young and old, of the left wing and of the right wing. And this is football. Especially, our Red and Blacks National Team. There are precisely these magical features that make our game more exciting, putting on all actors a greater responsibility”, – said President Duka.

Further on, he listed some important achievements such as the launch of the “Football for the Nation” strategy, the organization in Tirana of an activity of international proportions, the final of the UEFA Conference League on May 25, in our “Air Albania” stadium, the inauguration of the “Kukës Arena” stadium in Kukës or even the construction of many new football fields in Durrës, Kukës, Tirana, Lushnjë, Shkodër, Orikum, Luz, etc.

The president also mentioned the inauguration of the Football House, a major and important work for the football infrastructure in the country, but also other initiatives within the framework of social responsibility or cooperation with educational institutions.

“Today, we are in an event that has a moment of thanksgiving. For those who are an example of success, they should also be motivation for every young man who will reach the top. They are boys and girls who have reached here with great work, daily sacrifices, with sweat while having faith in themselves. We all need these qualities to achieve results. They are the qualities of champions”, said President Duka, among other things./p.s./

Minister of Culture Elva Margariti shared today on social networks moments from last night’s gala concert that was performed in context of celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Faculty of Music in the square in front of the University of Arts.

“It is a privilege to be among such honored names of Albanian music and pedagogy, in an evening of gratitude, in the Gala Concert marking the 60th anniversary of establishment of the Faculty of Music! An evening full of emotion thanks to interpretation of the Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir of the University of Arts, under direction of master Suzana Turku Kashara, String Quartet” ILA 1974 “, soloists Merita Rexha Tërshana on piano and tenor Katriot Tusha”, said Margariti, while adding that “the square in front of the University of Arts could not have been more beautiful.”

The beginnings of the Faculty of Music date back to January 15, 1962, with opening of the State Conservatory of Tirana.

Four years later, on May 4, 1966, with the merger of three independent art schools, the “Aleksandër Moisiu” Drama School, the School of Visual Arts and the Conservatory, the Higher Institute of Arts was established./p.s./

While marking this important cultural event, Minister of Culture Elva Margariti said that, “The reopening of the National Opera and Ballet House is just few hours away”.

After 5 years of closure due to reconstruction, starting today, the Opera and Ballet House will be open to the public with seven premiere shows.

The history of Opera and Ballet House begins in 1950. On November 27, 1953, there was performed the first opera of our stage “Rusalka”, by the Russian composer Alexander Dargomïzhsky. This date went down in the history of Opera and Ballet House as the day of founding of this theater.

As the largest musical and scenic institution in the country, Opera and Ballet House was located in the building of the Palace of Culture in 1966, where it continues its activity today.

In 2015, the Council of Ministers decided that the Opera and Ballet House building would undergo a complete reconstruction.

The Opera and Ballet House has about 250 permanent artists, who are part of the orchestra, choir, ballet troupe, lyrical soloists and the Folk Ensemble.

The Symphony Orchestra has about 50 instrumentalists in its composition. It is the orchestra with the highest level among the Albanian orchestral formations everywhere, receiving very positive evaluations from relevant personalities, Albanian and foreign.

The choir consists of 40 artists. The repertoire of the Opera and Ballet House choir is rich and diverse with both stage and concert works, Albanian and world.

The Ballet Troupe consists of about 40 ballet dancers. This troupe has realized masterpieces of world and Albanian ballets both inside and outside the country and has been awarded with honorary titles, awards, various medals by the Albanian state and beyond.

The troupe of lyrical soloists is composed of 14 artists, who with their wide repertoire and artistic level successfully cope with the titles of operatic calendars. In the body of soloists there are titular artists, but also young ones, enabling a very wide repertoire./a.a/p.s./