The Virginia Zeani Royal Opera Festival (Festivalul Regal de Opera) has announced details of its third edition, which will take place May 31 – Jul. 7, 2019. Events will be held at Palace of Culture in Târgu Mureș, the Hungarian Opera of Cluj, or The Culture House of Reghin, Romania. Vladimir Lungu will serve as Principal Conductor.

L’Assoluta Virginia Zeani Royal Voice Competition will highlight the Festival, bringing together top representatives from the European opera industry. The competition, according to the press release, serves to “offer young artists the opportunity of confronting a jury of international caliber, composed personalities representing the most important theaters in the world and at the same time, the rare opportunity to refine their own vocal interpretation under the guidance of great artists who are leading the Festival’s masterclasses.”

This year’s competitors include Vlada Koieva, Karolina Róża Kowalczyk, Mark Kincses, Tamara Radjenovic, Lorena Puican, Elli Vallinoja, Soare Florentina, Jan Wouters, Brigitta Volsik, Gayoung Kim, Emma Posman, Franciska Volsik, Veronica Anusca, Margarita Vilsone, Zoe Drummond, Emma McDermott, Tomczyk Jędrzej Tomczyk, Ioan Popescu, Leo Hyunho Kim, Alyson Spina, Paula Iancic, Alexandra Leșiu, George Ionut Virban, Anna Büchel, Elenora Hu, Solen Mainguené, Marius Zaharia, Sidney Walker, Aleksandra Kirsanova, Eliza Solomon, Andreea Diana Blidariu, Beniamin Pop, Nadia Cerchez, and Caren Maxerath.

The opening gala will feature a performance by soprano Nelly Miricioiu, who has graced the stages of esteemed venues including La Scala, Covent Garden, and the Metropolitan Opera. Acclaimed violinist Leonard Furda will also take to the stage.

Performance Date: May 31, 2019

Miricioiu will return as a member of the jury for the L’Assoluta Virginia Zeani Royal Voice Competition. She will be joined by Peter Mario Katona, Larisa Gergieva, Pal Christian Moe, and Soós Emese.

Performance Date: Jun. 2, 2019

The “Italian Opera Concert” will feature soprano Brigitta Kele, who will be joined by laureates of previous editions of L’Assoluta Virginia Zeani competition including mezzo-soprano Antonia Cosmina Stancu, baritone Alexandru Chiriac, and tenor Alin Stoice. They will perform arias and ensemble pieces written and interpreted exclusively in the Italian language, dedicated to Virginia Zeani.

Performance Date: Jun. 5, 2019

The “Opera Sacra” concert will feature works by Handel, Mendelssohn, Marcello, Mozart, Stradella, Bruckner, and Bizet. Participants will include Scolii Zeani students George Boches and Nagy Bertold, Scolii Zeani professors Marian Somesan and Madaras Ildiko, Ioan Lirica Moldovan, organist Maria-Antonia Somesan, and the Corul Scolii Virginia Zeani.

Performance Date: Jun. 5, 2019