ELENA CERNEI is the first Romanian-born mezzo-soprano on the greatest opera stages in the world: TEATRO ALLA SCALA IN MILAN, NEW YORK METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE (the last mezzo-soprano act as Amneris at the Old Metropolitan in the last performances of "Aida" before closing down, and the first as Amneris in the inaugural performance at the New Metropolitan); GRAND OPERA in PARIS, WIENER STAATOPER, BERLIN DEUTSCHE STAATSOPER, ACCADEMIA DES DELLAS ARTES in MEXICO CITY; GRAN TEATRO DEL LICEU in BARCELONA. The first artist world-wide to perform as a librettist, director and first interpreter of an original opera in absolute premiere: the opening performance of the "DOAMNA CHIAJNA", by Buicliu, at the Romanian National Opera House in Bucharest, October 1973. The first lyrical artist performing at the New York Metropolitan Opera who was awarded the distinguished title of Active Member of the Science Academy in New York.