After winning the IVC in 1979 Nelly Miricioiu, who originates from Romania became one of opera’s fast rising stars and one of the most celebrated sopranos in the Matinee series at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. She fled the communist regime in 1981 and performed in ROH Covent Garden, La Scala, Hamburg, Rome, Barcelona and Munich. She has always been hailed as a singing-actress and is at home in verismo roles and most of all in the difficult bel canto repertoire. She can be heard on many Opera Rara recordings.