Young Diva Christiana Aloneftis Wins Kyrenia Opera’s First Prize

Kyrenia Opera announced the winner of the 2014 Cyprus Vocal Scholarship Competition in the University/College Division, Christiana Aloneftis. The First Prize is accompanied by a $750 award, but in addition, the singer has an invaluable opportunity for a consultation with the judges. The competition aims to encourage and support young vocalists who are citizens of the Republic of Cyprus and to introduce them to respected experts on classical singing in the United States. The prestigious judging panel was comprised of international baritone William Stone and Metropolitan Opera soprano Maureen O’Flynn.

Christiana Aloneftis

Twenty-three year old Greek-Cypriot Australian Soprano, Christiana Aloneftis, currently based in Germany, completed a Bachelor of Music with First-Class Honors and a Language Diploma at The University of Melbourne in 2012. In October 2014, she graduated with her Master of Interpreting and Translation (Italian-English) degree from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. In Melbourne, Christiana studied under the guidance of dramatic coloratura Margaret Haggart who was instrumental in encouraging the young soprano’s vocal and artistic development. Christiana is fluent in Italian, Greek, and English and has also studied a minor in French.

Supported by the Monash University Acclaim Italian Opera Ambassadorial Scholarship (Acclaim Awards 2013/2014), Christiana recently studied an intensive Bel-Canto course at the Accademia Teatro alla Scala, Milan under renowned coloratura soprano, Luciana Serra and Maestro Vincenzo Scalera. This opportunity led to being selected to perform in Luciana Serra’s master class at Villa Bernocchi (Lago Maggiore, Italy) in late July 2014 as the youngest participant.

Earlier in June 2014, she sang the fiery role of Agata in Pergolesi’s Il Flaminio (Teatro Pergolesi-Spontini) at Teatro Morricone in Jesi, Le Marche, Italy which marked her Italian debut. Among her recent achievements, Christiana was awarded the Italian Government Scholarship 2013/2014 for continued study of the Bel-Canto technique and repertoire, the Dante Alighieri Society Overseas Career Scholarship (2013).

Kyrenia Opera’s mission is to forge an artistic connection between New York and Cyprus, through dynamic productions and educational outreach to children and adults.