Rame Lahaj Foundation was established with the aim of promoting and cultivating genuine music in Kosovo, finding new talents and developing their potential, while also researching and perfecting the knowledge on music as a whole, focusing on opera singing in particular.

All this is possible by bringing to Kosovo masters from all over the world to lecture during masterclasses of RLIOF, where bridges of collaboration are built between both young artists and those in their prime careers with various opera studios. The Foundation also helps to cover the school tuition of distinguished talents who come as a result of the masterclasses and the RLIOF festival.

Rame Lahaj Foundation has a direct impact on the Kosovo Philharmonic and Kosovo Opera, by bringing internationally renowned conductors, operas singers and instrumentalists who share their experiences with local and regional artists and students.

Rame Lahaj Foundation, in close cooperation with the Municipality of Prishtina, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Kosovo institutions, as well as with private partners such as Raiffeisen Leasing in Kosovo and Scardian Insurance Company, provides and offers great contribution in creating and educating cadres and shaping the new troupe of the Kosovo Opera, bringing necessary artists and assisting with everything that this institution needs in its beginnings and the journey towards being as solid as possible.

And all that jazz

It was a magical night, where music and passion for culture were shared among friends, collaborators and people who believe in the power of art to change lives. We had the honor of welcoming the President of the country, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, and the Mayor of Prishtina, Përparim Rama, who expressed their appreciation for our work and vision for the future. In this spirit of cooperation, Mayor Rama honored us with a special gratitude, appreciating the Foundation’s impact on the artistic and cultural community. This night would not be the same without the support of our institutional and private partners, who help us continue this journey. Thanks to you, Kosovo’s emerging and established talents have a platform where they can grow, shine, and share their art with the world. As the sounds of jazz and the emotion of the present filled the hall, we were reminded once again why art is so important: it brings people together, inspires souls, and creates memories that last forever.

Muzika përtej mureve

For the first time in Kosovo, the Rame Lahaj Foundation brought the magic of classical music to the Juvenile Correctional Center – Lipjan, the Women’s Correctional Center – Lipjan, and the Dubrava Correctional Center, giving those living behind the walls of these institutions the opportunity to experience freedom on a spiritual level through art.

Through the extraordinary performance of soprano Kaltrina Miftari and pianist Lirika Pula, they conveyed love and endless emotions, proving that art can touch every heart, regardless of boundaries.

OPERA NË RROTA

From September 15 to 20, 2024, the visionary cultural project “Opera në rrota” toured across Kosovo, visiting cities like Prishtina, Istog, Gjilan, Gjakova, Peja, and Mitrovica. Designed to engage young audiences, the project brought operatic performances directly to children and young people, aiming to inspire a love for classical music and opera while building future audiences. The program featured a curated selection of operatic masterpieces from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, including works by Henry Purcell, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, George Frideric Handel, and Gaetano Donizetti.

A talented artistic team led the performances, including soprano Kaltrina Miftari, soprano Anita Kerhani, soprano Fiona Llapashtica, countertenor Safet Berisha and baritone Harris Bajraktari, accompanied by pianist Laura Lila. Through their dynamic performances, they brought the timeless themes of love, nature, and human emotions to life. To further enrich the experience, narrator Uresa Ahmeti and actor Edon Shileku contributed to creating a vibrant and immersive artistic journey.

“Opera në rrota” was not only a celebration of lyrical art but also a significant effort by Kosovo’s artistic community to cultivate cultural appreciation in the younger generation, ensuring that opera remains a vital part of the country’s artistic landscape for years to come.

Educating the Audience of the Future

The event “Edukimi i publikut të së ardhmes”, which took place at Hyperactive as part of the Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival, was a unique blend of music and interactive education. A small orchestra performed well-known classical pieces, providing children with the opportunity to engage directly with the music. The young audience not only listened but also interacted with musicians, learning about various instruments and musical concepts in a fun and engaging way. Organized by Fondacioni Rame Lahaj, this initiative played an important role in the foundation’s goal of fostering audience development and creating an educational platform in Kosovo. By combining the arts with education, the event aimed to inspire curiosity and creativity in children, ensuring a future generation with a deep appreciation for culture and music. The event was a meaningful step towards building a cultural education framework in the country, aligning with the broader mission of the foundation to enrich Kosovo’s artistic landscape.

MASTERCLASS AT RLIOF 4:

Embracing Diversity and Artistic Growth

Fiona Llapashtica, a talented young artist from Vienna, brought her vibrant energy to the Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival (RLIOF) during its fourth edition. She participated in the masterclass, where she showcased her artistic potential, describing it as one of the best experiences in her journey. Fiona’s participation highlighted the festival’s commitment to inclusivity, welcoming artists from all communities and backgrounds. For RLIOF, breaking down barriers and fostering a diverse, welcoming environment for aspiring artists is a key part of its mission to inspire the next generation.

Working session WITH MASCARADE OPERA

In a symphony of artistic expression, the Rame Lahaj Foundation and the esteemed Mascarade Opera have joined forces to cultivate the talents of the next generation of operatic prodigies. Our young artists immersed themselves in a crescendo of intensive training under the tutelage of the vocal coaches of Mascarade Opera in the picturesque city of Florence. The experience was nothing short of a triumph for all involved, as the emerging artists were able to refine their skills and refine their craft under the guidance of true masters of the operatic art form. The Mascarade Emerging Artists program, like the Rame Lahaj Foundation, is dedicated to preparing young and exceptionally talented opera singers for the bright lights and grand stages of the opera world. We are deeply grateful to the dedicated professionals at Mascarade Opera for their hospitality and unwavering support, which made this session not just productive, but truly inspiring. As our young artists continue on their journey to operatic stardom, we offer our sincerest thanks to all who helped make this collaboration a resounding success, and to Mascarade Opera for their invaluable contributions to the development of the next generation of opera’s shining stars.

RLIOF AT 74TH CONCORSO ASLICO

For Young Opera Singer 2023

The 2023 Competition featured Die Zauberflote by W.A. Mozart and Luisa Miller by G. Verdi. Die Zauberflöte will be represented in the traditional version within the Opera season 2023–2024 of OperaLombardia and in a short version, in italian language, for Opera domani project XXVII edition. Comment: We are overjoyed to announce that Xhieldo Hyseni is the winner of the 74th AsLiCo Competition for Young Opera Singer 2023! Xhieldo was chosen to perform the role of Sarastro in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte opera in the main Opera Houses in Lombardy, and we couldn’t be more proud. The AsLiCo Competition is a highly regarded competition that has launched the careers of many talented opera singers. We were excited to have Xhieldo, Rovena Xhelili, and Bledar Domi, three of our talented young artists, participate in this year’s competition. Their involvement was made possible by the Rame Lahaj Foundation, which has been actively supporting emerging exceptional talents of the RLIOF festival.