Hersi Matmuja

Hersi Matmuja

Hersjana Matmuja (2014)
Background information
Birth name Hersjana Matmuja
Also known as Hersi[1]
Born (1990-02-01) 1 February 1990
Kukës, Albania
Genres Pop, classical
Occupation(s) Singer/songwriter
Years active 2005-present
Associated acts Genti Lako, Gjergj Leka

Hersjana Matmuja[2][3] (born 1 February 1990), also known as Hersi Matmuja or simply Hersi is an Albanian singer, best known for winning the 52nd edition of Festivali i Këngës. In 2014 she represented Albania in Eurovision Song Contest held in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the song "One Night's Anger".[4]

Biography

Early life and career

Hersi Matmuja was born on February 1, 1990 in Kukës.[5] She started singing when she was 8 years old and as a child participated in many festivals and talent shows. During that time, she also studied Canto at Liceu "Jordan Misja" in Tirana, where she received the highest possible grade of 10/10 upon completion.

In 2003, she provided the singing voice of Melody in the Albanian dub of The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea when she was only 13 years old.

While Hersi was studying at the Liceu, she participated for the first time at the Festivali i Kenges, when she was 16 years old, winning First Prize in the Youth Category for her rendition of the song "Ah Jetë, Oh Jetë" composed by Frederik Ndoci. She returned to participate in the Festivali i Këngës three more times. Hersi also participated twice in Kënga Magjike.[6]

In 2009 she auditioned for enrollment at the "Santa Cecilia" Conservatory in Rome (qualifying first among all applicants), where she studied canto and started committing professionally to music, participating in concerts and Classical music competitions. In October 2014, she graduated from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory with the maximum score of 30/30 and the title of "Maestro".[7]

She speaks Albanian, English and Italian.

Despite her classical music training, Hersi says her musical influences include Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Rihanna, Björk and ABBA.[8] She studies at Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome.[9]

52nd Festivali i Këngës and Eurovision Song Contest 2014

Matmuja was among the 16 participants taking part at the 52nd edition of Festivali i Këngës. Her song "Zemërimi i një nate" (One night's anger) was written by Jorgo Papingji and composed by Genti Lako. She performed on the first presentation night and shortly became a favourite to win the show. She opened the final night and received 69 points from the jury, thus getting the rights to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark. She left Klodian Kaçani and "Me ty" behind with 24 points. The Eurovision version of Zemërimi i një nate (One Night's Anger) and official video was released on 20 March.[10] Matmuja performed in the first semi final, on 6 May. She didn't qualify for the final on 10 May.

Awards

Festivali i Këngës

Year Nominee/work Award Result
2013 "One Night's Anger" First Prize Won

References

  1. ↑ "About Hersi". Eurovision.TV.
  2. ↑ "HI vererybody!". twitter.com. Hersi Official. 6 January 2014.
  3. ↑ "-9 #teamonenightsanger". twitter.com. Hersi Official. 27 April 2014.
  4. ↑ Omelyanchuk, Olena (28 December 2013). "Hersi Matmuja wins Festivali i Këngës!". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union.
  5. ↑ "Albania: Meet Hersiana Matmuja". eurovisiontimes.wordpress.com. The Eurovision Times. 30 December 2013.
  6. ↑ "Hersiana Matmuja Biografia". teksteshqip.com (in Albanian). teksteSHQIP.
  7. ↑ García, Belén (2 January 2014). "Interview: Hersi Matmuja (Albania 2014) speaks to ESC+Plus! (EXCLUSIVE)". esc-plus.com. ESC+Plus.
  8. ↑ Besim, Ramadan (22 January 2014). "Hersiana Matmuja Interview: I like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Mozart". wiwibloggs.com. wiwibloggs.com.
  9. ↑ "Hersi Matmuja speaks to Eurowizja.org". eurowizja.org. 20 February 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  10. ↑ "Albania: Hersiana Matmuja will release her song on March 20". wiwibloggs.com. wiwibloggs.com. 25 February 2014.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Adrian Lulgjuraj and Bledar Sejko with "Identitet"		 Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest
2014 		Succeeded by
Elhaida Dani
with "I'm Alive"
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