Doctor Honoris Causa, awarded at Ovidius University

Yesterday, the Rector of Ovidius University of Constantza, University Professor Doctor Victor Ciupină, handed two distinctions - one to Maria Slătinaru Nistor, the great soprano of Romanian lyric stage and the other to the bass-baritone singer George Emil Crăsnaru.

"This award is like a fulfillment of my career on the greatest stages of the world", declared the great soprano Maria Slătinaru Nistor. On the other side, her stage partner, the great bass-baritone singer George Emil Crăsnaru, considers this award "a spiritual return in the country".

In an impressive atmosphere and with great emotions as for a lifetime, yesterday, the Rector of Ovidius University, University Professor Doctor Victor Ciupină, beside Marian Cojoc - Dean of Faculty of History an Political Sciences, Adina Ciugureanu - Dean of Faculty of Letters, Florenţa Marinescu - Head of Canto Department - Faculty of Arts, and His Hollines Teodosie, Archbishop of Tomis, gave the two great names of Romanian Opera acknowledgement for their talent. After an existence dedicated to the stage, they received diplomas and many praised words for the fame they brought to our country abroad, and also for the quality of arts they promote among students.

This year, the two celebrities held a master course for the students in the 3^rd license year, which ends with an extraordinary concert on the stage of Constantza's lyric theatre.

"It is a take over from the great professionals to the young ones, at the beginning of the road, with the confirmation they have a good reason to study intensely for tomorrow", declared the Head of Canto Department - Ovidius University, before the awarding festivity.

The award - "a spiritual return in my country"

Forty years after finishing the Conservatory and after 20 years of teaching, the great soprano Maria Slătinaru Nistor revealed to the audience that in her entire career she had never felt as nervous as she felt yesterday, in the presence of the university teachers from Ovidius. "The award comes as an accomplishment of my career. It is wonderful that this event happens home. I am happy that we are here, in Constantza, where we have so many friends. It is a great honor to receive this title. The joy is greater because after many years I met my friend, the bass-baritone George Crăsnaru, with whom I have sung for years", sustained the great soprano.

On the other side, the great artist, who teaches for 16 years at University of Dusseldorf, wanted to express the same joy her lifetime colleague felts receiving this award. "The Art educates us; it gives us a different kind of joy. Me and the distinguish lady Slătinaru both graduated the Conservatory and we sang on all the Romanian theatre stages, between 1970 and 1980. Today, as a crowning of our work, we receive this award. It means a lot for me, especially as it is given by my country. I traveled for 30 years among strangers. For me, this is a spiritual return in my country. I have lived in two worlds, pleased of what I have done in this life", declared very excited the great bass-baritone.