Calestru Valentina

About

Valentina Calestru is a renowned Moldovan opera singer, a soprano with a distinguished career that unfolded predominantly on the stage of the National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Chisinau, where she has been active since 1980. Born on December 26, 1952, in Criuleni or Onițcani, the artist underwent rigorous musical training, studying at the G. Musicescu Institute of Arts in Chisinau (now the Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts), and then at the A. Nejdanova Conservatory in Odesa, between 1978 and 1981, under the tutelage of Maestro G. A. Polivanova. Recognized as an Honored Artist of the Republic of Moldova since 1993, she has become one of the representative voices of the Moldovan lyrical stage. Valentina Calestru's artistic repertoire is vast and impressive, encompassing leading roles in the canonical operas of lyrical literature. Her debut at the National Opera took place in the role of Santuzza in Pietro Mascagni's "Cavalleria rusticana," and she subsequently performed central characters in Verdi masterpieces such as Leonora in "La forza del destino," Abigaille in "Nabucco," and Aida, as well as roles in Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin," Vincenzo Bellini's "Norma," and Giacomo Puccini's "Tosca" and "Turandot." The artist has demonstrated remarkable versatility and professionalism in interpreting female characters in verismo operas, showcasing exceptional vocal technique and stage presence. Throughout her career, Valentina Calestru has collaborated with internationally renowned conductors and soloists, including Elena Obraztsova and other prominent figures of world opera art, undertaking artistic tours in numerous European and international countries. Her substantial contribution to the development and promotion of Moldovan operatic art places her among the most important female voices of her generation, and her work continues to inspire generations of music lovers and young artists.