Doğa Eren Birlik has her left hand on her heart and her right hand on the piano. Onstage at the Süreyya Opera House in Istanbul, she sings her heart out. It’s a special day for the 22-year-old Turkish performer: After making the final round of the Suna Korad vocal competition, she’s performing the beautiful, difficult Donizetti aria “O mio Fernando.” Her voice floods the hall and her glittery purple dress shimmers in the spotlight. 

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Anna Schors is a freelance singer and music journalist based in Berlin who has written for publications such as Opernwelt, Crescendo, and TAZ. She studied voice with Janet Williams, among others.