Romania's most important day is celebrated for the first time in the Scottish capital with a gala concert offered by two outstanding musicians and hosted by the majestic St John's Church. Endearing soprano Roxana Niţe is joined by her equally talented pianist sister Ancuța Nițe for an evocative recital of operatic gems, including famous songs by Romanian composers Tiberiu Brediceanu and Mihail Jora.
The event is organised by the Romanian Cultural Institute in London in partnership with the Consular Office of Romania in Edinburgh, with support from the Embassy of Romania in London. Followed by a reception.
Soprano Roxana Niţe studied at the Constanţa and Bucharest Conservatoires and has performed in many competitions and recitals in Romania, Germany, Holland, England and Scotland. She has collaborated with various lyrical theatres in Romania where she has starred in several operatic roles including Adina ('L'Elisir d'amore'), Dorabella ('Cosi fan tutte'), Rosalinda ('Die Fledermaus'), Donna Elvira ('Don Giovanni'), Countess Almaviva ('The Marriage of Figaro'), Veta ('A Stormy Night' by Paul Constantinescu). She has recently reprised the roles of Hebe and L'Amour in 'Les Indes Galantes' by Rameau at the Woodhouse Opera Company in Surrey. In April 2016 Roxana will appear as the Countess in the 'The Marriage of Figaro' production at Hastings. In Scotland the soprano has sung as soloist along with Busby Church Choir ('Missa Criolla' by Ariel Ramirez, 'Christmas Oratorio' by C. Saint-Saëns) and Williamwood Church Choir ('The Armed Man' by Carl Jenkins), Strathaven Choral Society ('A German Requiem' by J. Brahms), Milngavie Choir and Scottish Opera Orchestra (Mozart's 'Requiem'). Roxana has currently given solo recitals in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, St. Andrews, Ardkinglas and Isle of Arran. Based in Glasgow since 2010, she is also a teacher of canto and piano.
Pianist Ancuța Niţe came to Scotland in 2001 after winning the Constantin Silvestri National Music Competition where she was offered a full international scholarship to study at the Mary Erskine School in Edinburgh for one year. In 2003 she joined the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on a Stevenson Scholarship and an ABRSM International Scholarship. She graduated with a First Class BMus Hons degree, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma and a Master's Degree. Ancuța Niţe also won the Mozart Concerto Competition and was selected to perform Saint-Saëns 2nd Piano Concerto with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in March 2008 as part of her final exam. The pianist has been an ambassador for Hospices of Hope since 2008. Her fundraising efforts for the charity have included performances in The Purcell Room in London's Southbank, The Globe Theatre, Greyfriars Kirk and across Romania. Thanks to Tim Paxton, she joined the New Edinburgh Orchestra as a soloist in 2012 for a Glasgow concert with Shostakovich's Second Piano Concerto. In June 2014 she joined the NEO again for Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor. The funds from these concerts and other events have helped raise over £10,000 for Hospices of Hope. As well as performing, Ancuța teaches piano and is a member of staff at the Mary Erskine School, Stewarts Melville College in Edinburgh, St Aloysius College and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.
When: Sat 28 Nov 2015, 7pm;
Where: St John's Church, Princes St, Edinburgh, EH2 4BJ
Admission is free, but places are limited. Early booking is well recommended.
Please reserve your seats at E: edinburgh@mae.ro
