The Story of Xhoni and Sekine Athanas
Our Mission
Sekine Sharofi Athanas
Xhoni Athanas
At the John and Sekine Athanas Foundation, our mission is to support, uplift, and empower emerging talent across the globe in classical music, opera, and classical ballet. We are committed to preserving and nurturing the true values of the artistic world—values embodied by Xhoni and Sekine Athanas—through education, awards, mentorship, and meaningful support.
Xhoni Athanas
Sekine Sharofi Athanas
Xhoni Athanas
Xhoni Athanas
Xhoni Athanas (November 4, 1925 – October 1, 2019), also known as Gjoni Athanas or John Athanas, was a distinguished Albanian American operatic tenor whose voice resonated across continents and generations. A graduate of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow in 1957, he was awarded the prestigious Silver Medal at the Inte
Xhoni Athanas
Xhoni Athanas (November 4, 1925 – October 1, 2019), also known as Gjoni Athanas or John Athanas, was a distinguished Albanian American operatic tenor whose voice resonated across continents and generations. A graduate of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow in 1957, he was awarded the prestigious Silver Medal at the International Opera Singers Competition that same year—an honor signed by the legendary Italian tenor Tito Schipa.
Throughout his illustrious career, Xhoni received numerous accolades for his artistic excellence, including the titles of Artist i Merituar (Merited Artist), Medalja e Mirënjohjes (Medal of Gratitude), and Mjeshtër i Madh (Great Master), all conferred by Presidents of Albania. In recognition of his enduring contributions to the arts and the Albanian diaspora, he was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Albanian American National Organization (AANO) in Boston.
He is especially remembered for his powerful portrayal of the national hero Scanderbeg in Skënderbeu, the celebrated opera by Albanian composer Prenk Jakova. The image on the homepage captures Xhoni Athanas in this iconic role—a testament to his deep connection to his cultural roots and his extraordinary ability to embody the spirit of a nation through song.
Xhoni Athanas (November 4, 1925 – October 1, 2019), also known as Gjoni Athanas or John Athanas, was a distinguished Albanian American operatic tenor whose voice resonated across continents and generations. A graduate of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow in 1957, he was awarded the prestigious Silver Medal at the International Opera Singers Competition that same year—an honor signed by the legendary Italian tenor Tito Schipa.
Throughout his illustrious career, Xhoni received numerous accolades for his artistic excellence, including the titles of Artist i Merituar (Merited Artist), Medalja e Mirënjohjes (Medal of Gratitude), and Mjeshtër i Madh (Great Master), all conferred by Presidents of Albania. In recognition of his enduring contributions to the arts and the Albanian diaspora, he was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Albanian American National Organization (AANO) in Boston.
He is especially remembered for his powerful portrayal of the national hero Scanderbeg in Skënderbeu, the celebrated opera by Albanian composer Prenk Jakova. The image on the homepage captures Xhoni Athanas in this iconic role—a testament to his deep connection to his cultural roots and his extraordinary ability to embody the spirit of a nation through song.
Xhoni Athanas (November 4, 1925 – October 1, 2019), also known as Gjoni Athanas or John Athanas, was a distinguished Albanian American operatic tenor whose voice resonated across continents and generations. A graduate of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow in 1957, he was awarded the prestigious Silver Medal at the International Opera Singers Competition that same year—an honor signed by the legendary Italian tenor Tito Schipa.
Throughout his illustrious career, Xhoni received numerous accolades for his artistic excellence, including the titles of Artist i Merituar (Merited Artist), Medalja e Mirënjohjes (Medal of Gratitude), and Mjeshtër i Madh (Great Master), all conferred by Presidents of Albania. In recognition of his enduring contributions to the arts and the Albanian diaspora, he was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Albanian American National Organization (AANO) in Boston.
He is especially remembered for his powerful portrayal of the national hero Scanderbeg in Skënderbeu, the celebrated opera by Albanian composer Prenk Jakova. The image on the homepage captures Xhoni Athanas in this iconic role—a testament to his deep connection to his cultural roots and his extraordinary ability to embody the spirit of a nation through song.
Sekine Sharofi Athanas
Sekine Sharofi Athanas
Sekine Sharofi Athanas
Sekine Sharofi Athana
( March 4, 1938-August 20, 2023) is one of the first classical ballet dancers of the Theater of Opera and Ballet of Tirana, Albania. Sekine belongs to those pioneering artists who laid the foundations of the Ballet Theater since its genesis in the 1950s. She had a long career of 35 years as a prima ballerina, perfo
Sekine Sharofi Athana
( March 4, 1938-August 20, 2023) is one of the first classical ballet dancers of the Theater of Opera and Ballet of Tirana, Albania. Sekine belongs to those pioneering artists who laid the foundations of the Ballet Theater since its genesis in the 1950s. She had a long career of 35 years as a prima ballerina, performing as a soloist in many prominent roles, with talent, technique, energy and perfection. Her last performance on stage was with the role of Lola in the ballet "Lola" in 1986. A special merit of Sekine lies in the fact that she was the first classical ballerina to dance with pointe and tutu as a soloist, with the newly created Ballet Troupe of Tirana in the 1950s, when she was only 14 years old. The picture of the main page is of her on that performance at 17 years old.
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