Maltese Soprano Nicola Said performed at the Global Short Film (GSF) Festival Awards during the prestigious international Cannes Film Festival 2021. The GSF Festival Award was organised by entrepreneur, producer and fashion designer, Andres Aquino at Villa Elegance in Cannes, France.
Nicola performed Je Veux Vivre from French opera Romeo et Juliette by Charles Gounod and Quando Me’n Vo from Puccini’s 1896 opera La Bohème. Both were specifically chosen to accompany the theme of life and love, and beauty and love. Also performing was the world- renowned violinist, Edmond Fokker van Crayestein. Nicola sang in front of a number of distinguished guests from the entertainment world, including Dr. Olympia Gellini, founder, Chairperson and President of WORLD Film Institute and founder and CEO of Beverly International Film Festival and the award-winning actor and Producer, Vincent De Paul.
Nicola was first introduced to designer Andres Aquino by Hollywood Composer William Camilleri and then asked to sing at this prestigious event in the Cannes Film Festival and calendar. Andres Aquino is the GFS founder and director. After the event he said, “Nicola, you came, you sang and conquered Cannes, transporting us to a magical and delightful world where you rule with your powerful voice.” He added” I am looking forward to seeing you at our next event in New York”.
In a nod to her Maltese heritage, she wore a stunning gown generously sponsored by Maltese designers, Charles & Ron while her travel was supported by the Malta International Airport. Upon her return from Cannes, Nicola said “taking part was an amazing experience. I met fantastic people in the entertainment industry and have just been invited to sing in the New York Fashion Awards in February!”
Nicola is the Malta Airport Foundation Ambassador and a Joseph Calleja BOV Foundation Scholar.
She has been supported by the DrakeCalleja Trust, Janatha Stubbs Foundation, and Ian Tomlin
Scholarship. She is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama Opera Course for
which she was granted a full scholarship.
Nicola, who is represented by The Music Partnership, has given recitals for HRH The Earl of Wessex at an event presented by the Duke of Edinburgh, at St. James’s Palace and Kensington Palace in the UK. She has won Second Prize in the Strauss Competition at the Mozarteum in Salzburg and First Prize and Audience Prize for the Fulham Opera Robert Presley Memorial 2017.
Aside from Malta and the UK, Nicola has performed Internationally, including in France, Italy, USA, Cyprus, Germany, China, Poland, Hungary and others. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Malta.
