The 'Storybook Tours Everywhere' project returns to European stages in October, with concerts in Vienna, London, Berlin and Rome featuring Romanian opera singers with distinguished international careers: mezzo-soprano Ruxandra Donose and sopranos Iulia Isaev, Leontina Vaduva and Teodora Gheorghiu.

According to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Friday, the project, an extension of the 'Storybook Tours' initiative, which has been running in Romania since 2011, is dedicated to Romanian communities in the European diaspora and is funded by the Department for Romanians Abroad.

At the heart of the programme are four singers born in Romania who have built distinguished careers on the world's leading stages, some of whom are currently members of the Romanian communities abroad. The four artists will give recitals alongside pianists Sergiu Tuhutiu, Catalin Raducanu, Diana Ionescu and Liana Mares.

The tour's repertoire brings together works from Romanian and international musical literature, ranging from opera and lieder to romances, chansons and canzonettas, in a programme designed not only to showcase expressive diversity but also to highlight a heritage that remains insufficiently known outside Romania. Each recital offers a distinct perspective on how Romanian musical heritage can be naturally integrated into an international cultural context.

The events will be accompanied by introductory talks for the general public, aimed at encouraging cultural dialogue and highlighting the contributions of Romanian artists to Europe's musical heritage. The talks will be delivered by musicologist Oltea Serban-Parau.

'Storybook Tours Everywhere' addresses objectives related to preserving and promoting Romanian cultural identity among the diaspora. The initiative seeks both to expand Romanian communities' access to relevant cultural events and to strengthen ties between Romania and its citizens living abroad.

According to the press release, each recital is built around a distinct artistic identity:

'The Smile of Music', performed by soprano Teodora Gheorghiu and pianist Diana Ionescu in Vienna, offers a warm and personal encounter with the lieder and opera repertoire, exploring sincerity and the emotional power of musical communication.

'Melody, Longing, Magic', the programme by mezzo-soprano Ruxandra Donose and pianist Sergiu Tuhutiu in Berlin, takes audiences on a musical journey from arias and lieder to musicals and Romanian romance, bringing together celebrated works from the European and Romanian repertoires.

'Bella voce, Bella musica', the recital by soprano Leontina Vaduva and pianist Catalin Raducanu in London, crosses the boundaries between opera, chanson, romance and folk music, highlighting the sophistication and authenticity of the Romanian and international repertoire.

'The Voice of Emotion', the recital by soprano Iulia Isaev and pianist Liana Mares in Rome, places the emotion of encountering Romanian and international musical heritage at the forefront, in a performance that speaks of roots, memory and belonging. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Petronius Craiu; EN - writing by: Cristina Zaharia)

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