Rosela Gjylbegu

Rosela graduated in English language in 2005 at Shkolla e Mesme Pedagogjike “Gjuhët e Huaja” (Secondary Pedagogical School “Foreign Languages”) of Shkodër and obtained a degree in Psychology from the Fakulteti i Shkencave Sociale, Universiteti i Tiranës (University of Tirana’s Social Sciences Department), since when she also resides in Tirana.^[1] She pursues master's degree studies in gender rights^[2][3] and since 2009^[4] works in the Public Relations Office of the Albanian Parliament in the field of Gender equality.^[5] Admires ballet and various sports.^[6]

In her early childhood she took part in various school activities, continuing with participations in Shkodër’s children festivals as choir singer, and later also as a solo performer. Although passionate about ballet at school and part of ballet troupe there, she randomly starts her music career when in a celebration, at age eleven, she fills in for her absent friend to sing Mariah Carey's “Without You”.^[7] Her performance impresses her teacher who brings her to the “Qendra Kulturore e Fëmijëve” (Children's Cultural Centre).^[4] In 1999 in a trio titled “Të Europës jemi ne” (We are Europe’s) composed by Jetmir Barbullushi she wins the second prize. During the same period she took part in different activities around town of Shkodër and other school activities.^[1]

Despite taking part in many competitions,^[4] only in 2003 is Rosela given an excellent opportunity to show her talent: participation in “Ethet e së premtes mbrëma” (Friday night fever; or “Krasta Show”, after showman Adi Krasta), the Albanian equivalent of “Pop Idol”, which in a way changed her life forever and gave her a chance to show off her values and vocal talent. She reached third place and immediately became famous winning the audience’s sympathy.^[1]

“Festivali i Këngës në RTSH”

Right after “Ethet” Rosela takes part in “Festivali i 42-të i Këngës në RTSH” in December 2003 with the song “Hirushja” (Cinderella; lyrics by Pandi Laço, orchestration by Shpëtim Saraçi, composed by Endri Sina) and wins third prize. In 2004 she takes part in the European “Eurovision Song Contest” as a back-vocal along with other “Ethet” winners, when Albania debuted with Anjeza Shahini’s song.^[1]

In December 2004 she takes part in “Festivali i 43-të i Këngës në RTSH” in a duet with Arbër Arapi titled “Pëshpëritje zemrash” (Heart’s whispers), composed by Shpëtim Saraçi and extremely appreciated by the Albanian audience. In the meantime she takes part in important concerts and activities throughout Albania.^[1]

In December 2006 she takes part in “Festivali i 45-të i Këngës në RTSH” and takes the second place with Pirro Çako’s song “Pa ty, pa mua” (Without you, without me; lyrics by Agron Tufa, orchestration by Shpëtim Saraçi).^[1]

In December 2007 she takes part in “Festivali i 46-të i Këngës në RTSH” with “Po lind një yll” (A star is rising; lyrics by Jorgo Papingji and composed by Sokol Marsi) and ranks 13th.

Rosela’s cooperation with Eliza continues (see next section) with their other song “Një tjetër jetë” (Another life; composed by Pirro Çako, lyrics by Ardit Gjebrea and orchestration by Adrian Hila), which they perform along with Pirro Çako in “Festivali i 48-të i Këngës në RTSH” in December 2009. This song’s official video, the second one for Rosela, premiered on 24 May 2010 on "SuperSonic TV".

“Kënga Magjike”

At the 2007 “Kënga Magjike” (Magical Song) song festival Rosela takes part with “Për ne të dy”^[8] (For us both; lyrics and orchestration by Sokol Marsi) and wins “Magjia e Parë” (The First Magic) prize.^[9]

At the 2008 “Kënga Magjike” she takes part with “Tjetra” (The other one; lyrics by Pandi Laço, composed by Darko Dimitrov) and wins the “Çmimi Çesk Zadeja” (Çesk Zadeja Prize).^[10]

In her duet with Kosovar singer Eliza Hoxha titled “Rruga e zemrës” (Hearts’ way; lyrics by Eliza Hoxha, composed by Darko Dimitrov), Rosela wins the first place and “Çmimi Çesk Zadeja” of the 2009 edition of “Kënga Magjike”.^[11][12] In January 2010 the two singers, in cooperation with “Pixels Productions” shot the video for this song in Pristina, which would become Rosela’s first one.

Although she does not compete in the 2010 “Kënga Magjike” owing to other activities, as winners of last edition Rosela and Eliza open this edition's final on 20 November. In addition to this, they also accompany comedian Agron Llakaj along Shpëtim Saraçi on piano in interpreting “Dialog me këngët e dashurisë” (Dialogue with the love songs), summarising Ardit Gjebrea’s hits over time.

2010

In 2010 Rosela is invited to be part of the TV Klan’s third edition of the well-known weekly show “Këngët e Shekullit” (Songs of the Century). The show started 16 October 2010, lasts for twelve weeks through Christmas, ending on 2011 New Year's Eve, and brings together ten best Albanian music artists and one hundred best songs. As the youngest participant and one of three artists from Shkodër, she performs alongside veterans Merita Halili, Ramadan Krasniqi, Frederik Ndoci, Stefi and Endri Prifti, Eranda Libohova, Irini Qirjako, Selami Kolonja, Maya, Bujar Qamili, etc. In order to dedicate herself to this show Rosela does not participate in other festivals.^[13][14]

Songs she has been performing here each week, in order of appearance are: “Kur më del në derë” (When you get at the door), “S’ka ma të bukur se pranvera” (Nothing’s as beautiful as spring), “Ku po shkon me ato dimi?” (Where do you go with that shalwar?), “Djalë i dashtun” (Dear boy), “Sa të kam dashtë unë ty” (How much I have loved you), “O zambak i bardhë” (White lily), “O moj e vogël sa të du” (You little one I love you so), “Të dinja të vogël” (I imagined you small), “Xhamadani kuq si gjaku” (Doublet red as blood), “Këndon gjeli” (Rooster sings; virtual duet with Xhavit Xhepa), “Kur më vjen burri nga stani”, “Për mu paska kenë kismet” (This seems to have been my fate) and “Kur perëndon dielli” (When the sun goes down; also known as “Po t’jemi bashkë ne të dy” (If we could be together); duet with Bujar Qamili).

2011

Rosela’s recital, also named “Rosela dhe miqtë” (Rosela and friends), becomes the opening evening of the 2011 edition of this show starting on 15 January in a different format, a privilege given to the youngest artist of the show. Tickets for this evening were given for free.

Except for bringing together all of her songs from last edition, here she additionally performed a collage of other artists’ songs from this show, accompanied by the orchestra (including songs “I yti qeshë dhe jam” (Selami Kolonja), “Gjitonen që kisha pranë” (Maya), “O bilbil ore këngëtar” (Eranda Libohova), “Ti në kumull, unë në kumull” (Bujar Qamili)), “Serenatë për nusen” (Serenade for the bride) in duet with Sidrit Bejleri, and an emotionally charged duet with her father, Myfit Gjylbegu, in “Karafilat që ka Shkodra” (Cloves Shkodra has).

She reperformed her songs “Po t’jemi bashkë ne të dy” with Pirro Çako instead, and “Kur më vjen burri nga stani”, this time in a humorous cooperation with the three young tenors discovered in the third edition of “Gjeniu i vogël” show in 2010, Tedi Paçrami, Kledi Mahmutaj and Riad Bashi.

In addition to this, a candid-camera style footage of Rosela at the backstages of the 2010 show was shown.

In 2004 Rosela takes part in the “Notre-Dame de Paris” musical where she cooperates with many famous artists of Albanian music.^[1] Here she plays the role of Fleur-de-Lys de Gondelaurier and performs the associated song “Ces diamants-là” (These diamonds here) in duet with Arbër Arapi, who plays Phoebus de Chateaupers.

In December 2009, she appears lip syncing in the music video for the song “S’të fal” (I won’t forgive you) from “Kthjellu” featuring Flori and dedicated to Dritan Hoxha, founder of Top Media, who died in a car accident in 2008.

In 2010 Rosela becomes host and protagonist of the documentary “Discover Tirana with Rosela Gjylbegu” of “Southeast Europe’s: People and Culture” website^[5] developed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement with the aim to inform visitors about cultural activities in Southeast Europe and thus forming part of Commission’s information and communication activities in the field of EU-enlargement.^[15] While talking mainly about Rosela and her activities, the documentary informs the viewer about Tirana and opportunities there.

As written above, on 19 November 2010, in the 2010 “Kënga Magjike” Rosela and Eliza accompany comedian Agron Llakaj and pianist Shpëtim Saraçi in interpreting “Dialog me këngët e dashurisë” (Dialogue with the love songs), summarising this festival’s creator’s, Ardit Gjebrea’s hits of his career.

On 5 December 2010 she plays part in Vizion +’s weekly comedy show “Apartamenti 2XL” as a surprise guest in its tenth episode of season two.

Music videos

Rosela has recorded three music videos for the songs “Pëshpëritje zemrash”, “Rruga e zemrës”, and “Një tjetër jetë”.