Performance Years
A Vivid And Passionate Violinist
Romanian-British soloist Adriana Cristea melds virtuosity with visionary storytelling to transform classical performance into an evocative, personal journey.
Throughout her distinguished career as a professional violinist, Adriana Cristea has enchanted audiences at celebrated venues across Europe and the Middle East—including Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Royal Albert Hall, St. John’s Smith Square, St. Martin-in-the-Fields London, and the Romanian Atheneum—a venue that resonates deeply with her Romanian musical heritage. Her career is distinguished by significant international competition successes, including the 1st Prize, Special Prize, and George Enescu Medal at the Remember Enescu International Violin Competition, as well as recognition as a laureate of the Grand Prize Virtuoso International Competition, alongside accolades from the Citta di Filadelfia and New Stars Competitions. These achievements have paved the way for pivotal debuts at Concertgebouw and Royal Albert Hall and reinforced her standing on the global classical stage.
As a concerto soloist, Adriana has performed with ensembles including Enescu Camerata, Paul Constantinescu Philharmonic Orchestra, Beirut Chamber Orchestra, and the Young Musicians European Orchestra, among others. Experiences like her debut with the Beirut Chamber Orchestra and an extensive tour across Italy have broadened her artistic horizons. Beyond the concert stage, Adriana fuses her passion for storytelling with innovative recital projects. By merging multi-track orchestral recordings with graphic design, she creates immersive musical and visual experiences that invite audiences to engage with a full spectrum of repertoire. At the heart of her artistic mission is a dedication to reviving forgotten voices—composers whose immensely beautiful works have long remained unheard—and this passion is thoughtfully balanced with a commitment to diverse programming that spans experimental projects and fresh interpretations of established works.
Adriana has also collaborated with notable artists including Levon Chilingirian and performs as the violinist in the Veles Ensemble, alongside award-winning cellist Evva Mizerska and distinguished violist Ralitsa Naydenova. She performs on a 2012 Ole Bull violin, crafted by Ladislav Prokop in London.
Adriana's upcoming engagements includes her participation in the Janoska Style Workshop in Vienna, a distinguished event preceding the Amadeus Festival, for which she has been awarded a prestigious scholarship.
 |  |  |  |
|---|
Academic years
Becoming A Violinist
Since a young age, she has been perfecting her technique, sound and unique style while captivating the hearts of audiences.
Until the age of 13, she won many violin prizes. As her musical career developed, she moved to Bucharest, the Romanian capital where she studied at the most famous schools in the country: Dinu Lipatti and George Enescu Music Schools.
In 2013 she graduated the National University of Music in Bucharest, and she received an ABRSM full scholarship for postgraduate studies at Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, UK.
In 2015 she graduated with Distinction in Violin Performance, and since then, she has been developing her career by participating in international festivals, competitions, masterclasses, concerts, recitals and tours.
​
Early years
Loving the Violin
Adriana Cristea was born in Ploiesti, a Romanian major city, well known for its oil resources.
At age of 5, Adriana started playing the violin under her parents' guidance and care, who were her first teachers, while being members of the Paul Constantinescu Ploiesti Philharmonic Orchestra at the time.
At age of 6 she performed publicly for the first time and started pursuing her music studies. It was then when she began practising regularly, and two years later she commenced participating in violin competitions.
