Romanian-American writer Maria-Cristina Necula was born in Bucharest, and immigrated to New York at the age of twelve. She received her B.A. in Language & Culture with a Music minor from Purchase College, and her M.A. in English Studies (Composition & Rhetoric) from Lehman College. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from The Graduate Center, CUNY. Her dissertation-based book, The Don Carlos Enigma: Variations of Historical Fictions, was published by Academica Press in 2020. Maria-Cristina studied classical singing in New York, Bucharest, and at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna, and has performed at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, Florence Gould Hall, and the Westchester Broadway Theatre, among other venues. She has given talks on opera, languages, and literature at The Graduate Center, Baruch, The City College of New York, and UCLA Southland. Her rhymed translation of Molière’s comedy The School For Wives was performed at Canterbury Christ Church University in England. In honor of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, she was invited to translate, in both French and English, testimonials about Europe by noted international decision-makers, innovators, artists, and more, all collected in the book Europe à la carte (éditions le cherche-midi, 2009) to which she also contributed two of her own pieces. Maria-Cristina is a regular contributor to the culture & society website Woman Around Town and Classical Singer Magazine, and her work has also been published in Studies in European Cinema, Opera America, Das Opernglas, and Opera News. She is the recipient of a 2021-22 New York Press Club Award in the Critical Arts Review category for her review of Matthew Aucoin's Eurydice at the Metropolitan Opera. She is a 2022-24 Fellow of The Writers' Institute at The Graduate Center.

"In Maria-Cristina Necula’s finely crafted poems, things are fleeting and short-lived, leaving exquisite memories that sparkle with grace and insight... A beautiful, evocative, and highly imaginative collection."
Patricia Morrisroe
"This brilliant study explores three versions of the same tale—Saint-Réal’s, Schiller’s, and Verdi’s—and traces the implications of when and where each was written. A necessary and fascinating treatment of an irresistible tale filled with courtly intrigue, jealousy, treason, and murder."
André Aciman Amazon
Step behind opera's glamor with this candid look at life in the lyric universe: reflections and encounters with great stars and personalities that have shaped the opera world. "Indispensable for students of singing and opera lovers alike, and enlightening for those who may not know much about opera."
Ramón Vargas Amazon
"In translating Molière's 5-act comedy, Maria-Cristina Necula fulfills her mission: to be as faithful to the original as possible, while transferring that fidelity to a contemporary context. Maintaining the original's 12-syllable Alexandrine verse and rhyming couplets... she brings this translation into the English language of today." Philippa Wehle Amazon
From Ban Ki-moon, secretary-general of the United Nations to the virtuoso pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim, almost 70 great decision-makers, role-players and innovators of the whole world share visions of “their Europe”. A surprising mosaic, enhanced by previously unpublished and unusual maps whose pertinent features illuminate today's realities; maps that often have more to say than long analyses. Amazon
What they said...
"Once in a while a female singer who sings like nobody else will appear out of nowhere. Necula is able to do what many may have believed impossible - to take operatic singing and place it in a contemporary context without turning it into a novelty or making it too obscure for mass consumption..."
Michael Sutton, "CD Reviews"
"Acutely contemporary lyrics. She sings in a distinctive style." Roberta Hershenson, The New York Times
"Probably not since Klaus Nomi has the world heard anyone sing with such fiery operatic passion as Romanian vocalist [Maria] Cristina Necula... it has a seductive, nearly vampiric pull." Whisperinandhollerinreview
"Cristina has that wonderful quality of speaking many musical languages. Her voice carries the seed of intimacy, emotion, and passion - and it will touch you deeply." Walter Koerte, composer
"Cristina's music takes me on a journey that is magnificent. I feel transported to another realm on the exotic vibe of the melodies and her ethereal voice."
Philip Kanakis, music producer
"Cristina's voice is angelic and rings through like a blade of light cutting through darkness. Her willingness to reach into her soul and share with listeners some of her personal journey is commendable, honest and real." Nandapriya, lead singer of Sacred Circles
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