Gala opening of Ohrid Summer Festival 2026 “LOVE” gala concert

ERMONELA JAHO-soprano

Ermonela Jaho is internationally recognized as today’s foremost celebrated operatic singing-actresses, who performs regularly at the most important opera houses around the world. She was recently titled “Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” for significant contributions to the arts and culture in France and around the world, Artist of the Year at the 2023 International Classical Music Awards, The Best Female singer of Germany’s OPER Awards 2024 and Spain’s Opera XXI Best Foreign Artist 2024. She is the winner of ICMA Vocal Music award for her solo album Anima Rara. She is the Artist Ambassador of Opera Rara and Opera for Peace. She is a member of the Academy of Sciences of Albania.

Her signature roles which are much acclaimed from the public and critics alike, include Violetta, Cio Cio San, Suor Angleica, Adriana Lecouvreur, Anna Bolena, Thais, Luisa Miller etc. She has sung at the most important stages in the world such as Royal Opera House in London, Metropolitan Opera in New York, Bayerische Staatsoper, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Opéra national de Paris, Wiener Staatsoper, Teatro Real in Madrid, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Munich, Zurich Arena di Verona and more.

Ermonela Jaho was born in Albania and studied singing at the Conservatory of Tirana and Santa Cecilia in Rome. After finishing her studies, she won multiple competitions which opened the doors to her professional international career. Her repertoire ranges from baroque, bel canto to verismo. Her vivid interpretations and her exceptional identification with the roles she performs are highlighted in all her reviews.

In the 2025-26 season, Mrs. Jaho will sing at Teatro Real Madrid, return as  Violetta in Verdi’s “La Traviata” at Royal Opera House in London and the Metropolitan Opera of New York, she will be at the stages of the  Wiener Staatsoper, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, etc. She records a CD with Opera Rara and BBC Symphony Orchestra and release a double album with Donizetti’s French and Italian songs, recorded in 2024 for Opera Rara.

Charles Castronovo- tenor

Acclaimed internationally as one of the finest lyric tenors of his generation, Charles Castronovo has performed at the world’s leading opera houses including Royal Opera House, Opera National de Paris, Metropolitan Opera, Staatsoper Berlin, Wiener Staatsoper, Teatro Real, Deutsche oper Berlin, Bayerische Staatsoper, Salzburg Festspielhaus and many more. Born in New York, Castronovo began his career at Los Angeles Opera and was subsequently invited to join Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. In autumn 1999, he made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Beppe at the opening night performance of Pagliacci opposite Placido Domingo. Showcasing dedication, artistry and excellence through many roles over the years, Castronovo has strategically developed his repertoire with a wide range of debuts as Alfredo in La Traviata, Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Rodolfo in La Boheme, Romeo in Romeo and Juliette, Chevalier des Grieux in Manon, Ruggero in La Rondine, Pinkerton in Madam Butterfly, Rodolfo in Luisa Miller among others. Recent seasons highlight Castronovo’s addition of lirico spinto roles as the title roles in Ernani and Don Carlos, Maurizio in Adriana Lecouvreur, Gabriele Adorno in Simon Boccanegra, Riccardo in Un Ballo in Maschera, Jason in Medee and Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca.

Marco Boemi- conductor

Conductor and pianist Marco Boemi has also graduated law at La Sapienza University in Rome.

During his more than 35 years long career he  has worked with the most prominent singers of his time including Domingo, Pavarotti, Netrebko, Carreras, Bruson, Beczala, Taddei, Rebeka, Obratzova, Borodina, Abdrazakov, Gruberova, Grigolo, Tezier, Tetelmann, Dessi, Sabbatini, Ricciarelli, Volle, Villazon and others, and has worked with some of the most prestigious Italian and international organizations such as Scala di Milano, San Carlo di Napoli,  as well as all of the Italian theatres, Bayerische Staatsoper, Opera di Roma, Wiener Konzerthaus, Shostakovich Hall in Saint Petersburg, Royal Festival Hall in London, Royal Oman Opera in Muscat, Wiener Musikverein, Seoul Performing Centre,  Berliner Konzerthaus, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Wigmore Hall in London, Salle Gaveau in Paris, Wielki Theatre in Warsaw, Zaragoza Auditorium, Grand Theatre in Shanghai, Budapest Opera, Megaron in Athens, Ljubljana Festival, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Taipei Symphony Orchestra, Vishnevskaya Centre in Moscow, Bolshoi Orchestra,  Finnish Opera in Helsinki, Helikon Opera in Moscow.

He has large operatic and symphonic repertoire, and has recorded both CD’s and DVD’s for companies such as Philips, Decca, Universal and TDK CDs with various acclaimed artists. He is also known as an expert in lieder and is passionate about teaching, giving masterclasses throughout the world for young conductors, singers and accompanists.

Highlights of recent seasons include a special gala for Anna Netrebko’s 50th birthday at the Moscow Kremlin with guests including Domingo, Villazon, Volle, Salsi, Abdrazakov; a tour in Japan with Placido Domingo; concerts with Vittorio Grigolo in Tokyo, Riyadh, Moscow and Ravello; new productions of Otello and La Bohème in Taipei; a gala “Hommage à Pavarotti” with Domingo and Carreras in Tokyo; concerts with Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov in Wiener Konzerthaus and Linz; concerts with Piotr Beczala at the Wiener Konzerthaus and in Linz,  new productions of Butterfly (first version) at  Moscow Helikon Opera and Rigoletto in Vishnevskaya Centre; release of a new CD with

Marina Rebeka etc. His future engagements include gala concerts with Placido Domingo in Tokyo and Osaka, concerts with Piotr Beczala in Linz and Vienna as well as concerts with Anna Netrebko and Vittorio Grigolo, masterclasses in Shanghai and Shenzhen, a tour in China with Placido Domingo and Adriana Lecouvreur in Skopje.

Macedonian Opera and Ballet, North Macedonia