The inspiring rise
From emerging artist to international opera star
Elbenita Kajtazi, born in Mitrovica, Kosovo, is a Soprano who has performed in some of the most important European opera houses. She studied at the University of Prishtina, Faculty of Arts in Kosovo. She moved to Germany and participated in the Young Artist Programme at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, became a member of Aalto-Musiktheater in Essen, and joined the ensemble of Hamburgische Staatsoper. In the 2024-25 season, Kajtazi makes her Wiener Staatsoper as Mimi in La Boheme, a US Opera debut at the Chicago Lyric Opera as Marzelline in Fidelio, as well as a return to major roles at the Hamburgische Staatsoper, Opernhaus Zürich and Dresden Semperoper. In 2024, she launched the first “Bajar Berisha” scholarship to support Albanian artists studying in Germany.
This video presents the discussion unfolded between Elbenita Kajtazi, Opera Singer from Kosovo/Germany, and Tom Creed, EFFEA Jury Member and Opera and Theatre Director from Ireland. Elbenita shares her journey from an emerging artist in Kosovo to an international opera star, detailing her experiences with various organisations and residencies. Elbenita emphasises the transformative power of music in her life, especially during her time in war-torn Kosovo. She recounts her childhood in Mitrovica, saying, “On the one side I had a beautiful childhood but on the other a sad one because I am a war child, I have experienced the war in Kosovo and that is how I started to sing. I would find myself in horrible situations as a child and I wanted to escape that reality and not live what I was watching so I started to sing in my mind and it would take me to another universe.”
Elbenita speaks about her dreams of performing on prestigious stages, stating, “To think of conquering the world was too much, was unreal, but I knew in my heart and mind that I could do it if I never gave up.” Under the motto, “never give up and work hard”, she is determined to succeed despite numerous challenges. Elbenita also announces her new initiative, the Bajar Berisha Stipendium, to support Albanian young and talented artists in Germany. “With this initiative/scholarship, I will be able to support every year Albanian artists to make their dreams come true in Germany.”
This conversation between Elbenita Kajtazi and Tom Creed kicked off the EFFEA Call #3: Intake Seminar that took place on 11 June 2024.
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