A Musical Royal Gala at the Romanian Athenaeum, in Support of Romania’s Talented Youth
- An audience of 800 people and cultural figures attended the Royal Charity Concert
- €160,000 was raised through sponsorships and ticket sales for the Young Talents scholarships
- A new national selection of scholarship recipients for 2023 will be launched next month
Over €160,000 was raised to support talented young artists with limited financial means at the 13th edition of the Royal Charity Concert, which took place last night at the Romanian Athenaeum, in the presence of the Romanian Royal Family. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, donors, and ticket buyers, a new generation of talented young people will be supported in developing their artistic potential through scholarships, mentorship, and promotion.
Personalities from the worlds of art and culture, members of civil society, business leaders from Romania, media representatives, sponsors and supporters of the Foundation, as well as members of the public eager to support Romanian culture, gathered at the Romanian Athenaeum to enjoy the extraordinary recital performed by outstanding musicians of the new generation. The gala evening was attended by remarkable guests, including Nelly Miricioiu and Valentina Naforniță — important names on the world opera stage — Irina Margareta Nistor, Zoli Toth, Paula Seling, Andreea Raicu, Malvina Cervenschi, Dana Deac, and other supporters.
Cellist Andrei Ioniță, soprano Diana Alexe, and tenor George Vîrban shone on the Athenaeum stage au strălucit pe scena Ateneului and offered a musical feast, warmly applauded by the audience, demonstrating through their virtuosity the exceptional results that early support for young talents can bring. Now performing on major stages around the world — from Carnegie Hall in New York, London, Shanghai, and Munich to Vienna — the three artists, through their generous gesture, supported the efforts of The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation to give other young people at the beginning of their journey the chance to follow their dream. Without this support, emerging artists cannot pursue specialized training nor access opportunities to showcase their talent. Under the baton of conductor David Crescenzi, the New Hope Orchestra and the three soloists offered the audience a selection of some of the most beautiful pages of opera and operetta — famous arias and duets from works by composers such as Charles Gounod, Giuseppe Verdi, Gaetano Donizetti, Franz Lehár, and Pablo Sorozábal — as well as Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations.
The artistic moment in the concert hall was complemented, in the Romanian Athenaeum foyer, by a highly appreciated visual arts exhibition featuring works created by current scholarship recipients of the Foundation, under the theme “The Interests and Passions of the Members of the Royal Family Over Time”. The unique dresses worn by soprano Diana Alexe on the Athenaeum stage were created by two current scholarship recipients of the Young Talents program.
Before the performance began, the Romanian Athenaeum foyer turned into a true TV studio, where guests — cellist Andrei Ioniță, conductor David Crescenzi, Maestro Marin Cazacu (cellist and professor, General Director of the Romanian Athenaeum, Manager of the National Center for the Arts “Tinerimea Română,” leader of the Violoncelissimo Ensemble, and mentor in the Young Talents program), Zoli Toth (artist, Young Talents mentor), Paula Seling (artist, Young Talents supporter), Mugurel Mărgărit (Executive Director of The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation), Gabriela Iordache (coordinator of the Young Talents program), as well as TV hosts Liana Stanciu and Valentina Băințan — introduced viewers at home to the festive atmosphere of the Royal Charity Concert through discussions about the importance of supporting Romanian art and culture.
The funds raised through sponsorships and donations at the Royal Charity Concert will support a new generation of musicians and visual artists aged 14 to 24 from low-income families through the national Young Talents program, 2023 edition, with the national selection set to be launched in November.
13 Years of the Project and Over €1.8 Million Invested in Young Artists’ Education
Over time, more than €1,800,000 raised from sponsorships and donations has been invested in Romania’s artistic future. A total of 380 scholarships have been awarded to talented young people at the beginning of their journey from low-income families, and with the support of mentors and sustained promotion, they have achieved outstanding national and international performances. The Young Talents program is recognized as the Best Arts and Culture Program in Romania, having won four awards at the Civil Society Gala, including in 2022.
Organized annually since 2008 by The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation, the Royal Charity Concert traditionally takes place on October 25, the birthday of King Michael I of Romania, founder of the Foundation together with Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown. Each anniversary edition of the concert has brought the most valuable musicians of the moment and major orchestras to the stage of the Romanian Athenaeum in support of young Romanian artists.
About The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation
The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation was established in 1990 by King Michael I of Romania and Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown. With over 30 years of activity, the Foundation supports children, youth, and the elderly through sustainable interventions based on intergenerational exchange of experience and values. Over the years, the Foundation has been involved in numerous social, cultural, and educational projects supporting talent and artistic development. More information is available at fundatiaregala.ro/.
Partner: Kaufland România
Co-producers: TVR, Radio România Muzical, Radio România Cultural
Sponsors: Globalworth Foundation, Kultho, Oskar, Dedeman, Pepco, PSC Group, Sofmedica, Enayati Group, Boiron România, Raycap, Hotel Siqua, Easy Print Services
In-kind sponsors: Malvensky, Rhein Extra, Aqua Carpatica, Ferrero, Nespresso
Media partners: Magic FM, RFI România, Radio Trinitas, Forbes, Forbes Life, BIZ, Historia, Zile și Nopți, Revista Cultura, The Institute, Radio Clasic, Phoenix Media, Nine O’Clock, Societatea Muzicală, Revista Cariere, Capital Cultural, Insight TAROM, IQads, SMARK, The Diplomat, Financial Intelligence, Bucharest Journal, MediaTrust Romania, Zenith Romania.
With the support of: Filarmonica George Enescu, Muzeul Municipiului București, Chapter4 România, Iabilet.ro
