Winner of the 2017 Kyrenia Opera Vocal Competition.

Kyrenia Opera is pleased to announce the winner of the 2017 Cyprus Vocal Competition.

The competition’s prestigious panel was comprised of Metropolitan Opera soprano Maureen O’Flynn, international baritone Professor William Stone, and Martha Wade – Wade Artist Management. The esteemed judges unanimously awarded the First Prize in the Young Artist Division to soprano Theodora Raftis. Kyrenia Opera will offer Ms. Raftis an opportunity to perform with the company. In addition to this award, the singer has an invaluable opportunity for a consultation with the judges.

Theodora Raftis is a coloratura soprano from Cyprus. She is a part-time member of the Opera Studio Opera Fuoco in Paris from 2017 to 2019 and is studying towards a Master’s degree in opera at Vienna’s University of Music, under the guidance of Claudia Visca, supported by the A. G. Leventis Scholarship. She is the second prize winner of the International Singing Competition József Simándy 2016 and a finalist in the International Singing Competition Éva Marton 2016. Other awards include the Joseph Weingarten Scholarship 2014; first prize Edward Brooks English Song Prize 2014; and second prize Mario Lanza Opera Prize 2014.

In the High School Division, first prize will not be awarded this year. The judges have elected to give an encouragement award to soprano Christiana Charalambous recognizing her potential.

We congratulate Ms. Raftis and Ms. Charalambous and look forward to announcing the 2018 Cyprus vocal Competition.