It has been an extraordinary year for the Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho, the voice that the world has known for a long time. He has recognized his successes this year as well, with several awards and major roles. And, for these achievements, her name is insurmountable in the top lists of voices that marked 2023 in the operatic world, as is that of “OperaWire” with the eleven singers of the year.

The prominent magazine of the world opera scene, “OperaWire”, has continued the tradition of announcing the top singers of the year, and the name of the Albanian soprano, Ermonela Jaho, is inevitable on the list. The selection is made among those who stood out, based on positive reviews and major roles. Such was the year 2023 for Jahon as well.

Ermonela Jaho playing the character of Violetta at the Royal Opera House. She has sung the role 301 times to date, and describes Violetta as “like a dream for my voice.”Credit…Royal Opera House

“It is difficult to describe Ermonela Jaho’s dedication to every role she brings to the stage. There is an intensity and a great authenticity that makes you feel everything that the characters she plays are going through,” begins “OperaWire” describing Jaho. Remember that in 2023 she was awarded Artist of the Year by the “International Classical Music Award” for the “unique beauty of her glorious voice, led with certainty and sparkle”. The recording of “Turandot” is also singled out, which was nominated for the “Gramofon” award and the critics ranked it as one of the best recordings of the year. Jaho, as “OperaWire” recalls, was also nominated for the “Opera Award”, for the best singer of the year.

“But none of these awards would have been possible without her accomplished performances. Jaho started 2023 by returning to the ‘Metropolitan Opera’ with a historic ‘La Traviata’, which was probably one of the best performances of this work over the years”, writes the online magazine founded in 2016, which is considered one of the main media that conveys the opera scene all over the world. About her role in “La Traviata”, “OperaWire” would emphasize that “Ermonela Jaho shows her soul in a fascinating performance” and that she was “magnetic” on stage. These appearances marked the first time she had performed the role since 2020.
“There was an appearance with ‘Adriana Lecouvreur’ in Australia and a return to the Royal Opera House with ‘Turandot’. Jaho has also performed at the Bayerische Staatsoper with ‘Dialogues of the Carmelites’ and made her tour in Japan with ‘Traviata’ with Teatro Massimo di Palermo”, recalled the magazine in the section about the Albanian soprano, in the list where the selected are listed alphabetically.

Per Jahon writes that her 2023-24 season started with a new production of “La Rondine”, where she had the role of Magda, for which she received high praise. “Critics pointed out that Ermonela Jaho gave an emotionally shocking interpretation of Magda. Her ability to capture the essence of a character moved many in the audience to tears. Her soprano vocal range brought depth to Magda’s character, and her excellent pianissimi and filata brought emotional nuances as well. It was an extraordinary performance”, this magazine quoted.

In this presentation, he writes that the audience all over the world had the opportunity to see Jaha in a reproduction of “Turandot” at the Paris Opera when the company broadcast its performance. “During the year, the soprano also honored Maria Callas, as well as participated in the July 14 concert in Paris, which was shown around the world,” wrote “OperaWire”.

Ermonela Jaho: ‘If we don’t share our souls, our feelings together, why do this job?’

The list of top-11 singers of the year starts with Aigul Ahkmetshinan, Russian mexo-soprano, who was praised for her performances for 2023, giving her the epithet of “New Netrebko” as an appreciation for young soloists. “Piotr Beczala needs no introduction”, says the Polish tenor, who was called “the Lohengrin of our times”. The American tenor Lawrence Brownlee was also appreciated, who, among other things, was singled out for his role in “Rising”. Joshua Guerrero and his achievements with the three productions “Verismo”, Leah Hawkins with her debut in the role of Toscasm are also on the list with Lucia Lucas with the premiere “Lili Elbe” written about the experience of a transgender woman. Quinn Kelsey is acclaimed for Rigoletto in Spain, Ailyn Pérez for writing history as the protagonist of Jonathan Tetelman’s first Latin American operatic work with a sensational performance of La Boheme in Dortmund. The list is rounded off with soprano Elza Van den Heever, the soprano from South Africa.

Ermonela Jaho

Ermonela Jaho is a unique Albanian voice that has conquered the opera stages of the world for years now. Her name is heard everywhere, and the voice of the Albanian singer resonates in the largest and most prestigious venues.

Recently, another award has been added to Ermonela’s trophy cabinet. Alongside the cups and accolades received over all these years, she has also been awarded the title of “Best Female Singer” for her outstanding performance in the opera “La Rondine” at the Zurich Opera House.

The Albanian singer won the prestigious award at “The Oper! Awards 2024,” also known as Germany’s Opera Oscars, being recognized not only as the singer with the most beautiful voice but also as the person who gives everything of herself when on stage.

“The best female singer Ermonela Jaho. It is already known that singing opera requires more than just a beautiful voice, but rarely does someone reveal their inner essence through singing and performance. At @operzuerich in 2023, Erminela Jaho delivered an emotionally charged and extraordinary operatic evening as Magda from Puccini’s ‘La Rondine’: a swallow and a soul dying in one,” reads part of the post published by Opermagazin.

Regarding this latest recognition she received, after winning the “Best Foreign Artist” award for 2023, for her interpretation of “Suor Angelica” in Barcelona, Ermonela has reacted through a post on social networks.

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