The first edition of the Albanian Music Nights festival has opened with a concert dedicated to Albanian chamber music and new compositions.

The opening evening presented five world premieres to a full audience. The programme featured Folk Game for Five by Hajg Zaharia, Spring Breeze on the Coast by Maksim Shehu, Dream by Ajet Çekiçi, Desha by Ylli Ramzoti and Vision by Niko Boçi.

Soprano Rovena Xhellili, mezzo-soprano Amelda Papa and baritone Artur Vera performed the works alongside an ensemble of instrumentalists. The musicians included pianist Etrita Ibrahimi, flautist Enalda Gjoni, violinists Gëzim Bulçari, Romina Tafaj, Nikola Kondakçi and Sonja Hoxhallari, violists Xhanina Çela and Flobens Zyma, harpist Aida Kasmi, cellists Gëzim Hysi and Jona Çegrani, and percussionist Eldi Smaja.

The festival will continue until 5 December with concerts and premieres. It aims to promote Albanian composers, present new works and bring audiences closer to developments in Albanian music.

/a.p./