Tirana, Albania, August 7, 2012. [CD-News]. The Orthodox Church is the second largest religion in Albania. The new cathedral (picture) is the biggest in the Balkan area. Patriarch Anastasios (Picture, between Irida and Andreas Mazza), has personally contributed to the architecture-design of this huge sacred monument. A special inauguration ceremony has been organized by the orthodox leadership on June 24, 2012
. Members of Parliament, ministers, ambassadors etc. have been invited. Among the many personalities there were also the US ambassador to Albania, Alexander Arvizu, and the OECD ambassador, Eugen Wollfahrt. After some orthodox choirs, an 'adventist voice' has been heard during the ceremony. The Opera House director, Dr. Zhani Ciko, was asked to perform a sacred song with his orchestra and with a special voice of the Opera. Maestro Zhani Ciko had no hesitation and asked mezzo-soprano Irida Dragoti to perform the Lord's Prayer. It was a magic moment and the audience highly appreciated the sacred song, above all the patriarch Anastasios, who said he wants to meet personally the 'adventist opera singer', Irida.
Sometimes music succeeds where words fail. Irida thanks the Lord and maestro Ciko for these wonderful opportunity to share God's Word. It has been a great opportunity to represent a joyful 'Rainbow Church', the Adventist Church.
Irida Dragoti is a professional opera singer. She has studied in Albania and Italy, graduating with top grades. She has done master-level studies with some of the most important opera singers in the world, such as Renata Scotto, Daniela Dessi', Raina Kabaivanska. She has also worked with very important directors like Zubin Mehta, Claudio Abbado and famous artists like Andrea Bocelli and Ennio Morricone.
Irida is married to Andreas Christian Mazza. They have a 2-year-old daughter, Christine.
