Mezzo-soprano Antonela Bârnat, one of the two Romanian musicians nominated by Radio Romania Music, has qualified in the semi-finals of the New Talent competition in Bratislava.

This is the most important competition opened to young musicians, organized by the European Broadcasting Union. Every public radio member of the European Broadcasting Union is invited to submit the recordings of two musicians aged between 18 and 30, in order for the jury to listen to them and decide upon the competition''s semi-finalists.

In 2008, Radio Romania Music organized a national contest in order to choose Romania''s representative for the prestigious competition in Bratislava. Mezzo-soprano Antonela Bârnat, winner of the national competition, made a series of special recordings, accompanied by the Radio Chamber Orchestra, in the fall of 2008. These recordings convinced the international jury to accept her among the 8 semi-finalists in this year''s competition.

On Friday, the 27th of November 2009, starting with 9 pm, Radio Romania Music will broadcast live the second part of the competition''s semi-finals. Should Antonela qualify in the finals, Radio Romania Music will also broadcast live the final round of the competition, on Monday, the 30th of October, starting with 9 pm.

28-year-old mezzo-soprano Antonela Bârnat is a graduate of the National University of Music of Bucharest (2004), Mrs.Georgeta Stoleriu''s class. Since the 2005-2006 season, she has appeared on a regular basis on stage at the Bucharest National Opera, both in the Experimental Opera Studio''s performances and in the classical ones. She also interpreted the solo scores of several vocal-symphonic musical pieces at Radio Romania and at the "George Enescu" Philharmonics, and was invited to perform on the stage of Opera houses and Philharmonics throughout the country.



Translated by Cristina Caramida and Valentina Tache
MA students, MTTLC, Bucharest University