The voice of the operatic character Plavalaguna in the 1997 science-fiction film The Fifth Element belongs to Inva Mula, an Albanian lyric soprano. Born in Tirana on 27 June 1963, Mula emerged from a family of professional musicians to build a career spanning international opera houses, televised performances, and numerous recorded works for labels including EMI.
Early Development and Competition Success
Mula was born to Avni Mula, a Kosovo Albanian from Gjakova, and Nina Mula, who was from Izhevsk, Russia. Both parents were active opera singers. Following her training at the University of Arts in Albania, she established her profile through international competitions. In 1987, she won the Cantante d'Albania contest in Tirana, followed by a victory at the George Enescu Competition in Bucharest in 1988. By 1992, she secured a win at the Butterfly competition in Barcelona, and in 1993, she received an award at the inaugural Operalia International Opera Competition in Paris, organized by Plácido Domingo.
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Her performance career included roles in standard operatic repertoire such as Lucia di Lammermoor, La bohème, and Manon. She became known for her interpretation of Violetta in La traviata, performing the role in cities including Tokyo, Bilbao, Orange, Trieste, and Toronto. Mula has participated in major productions such as Luigi Cherubini's Médée at Compiègne in 1996 and Bizet's La jolie fille de Perth in 1998, both of which were filmed for television. In 2005, she assumed the leading role of Magda in Puccini's La rondine in Toulouse and Paris, replacing Angela Gheorghiu. Her recording history includes the 2009 album Il Bel Sogno and a recital of Bizet's Ivan IV at the Salle Pleyel in Paris.
Film and Television Contributions
Beyond stage productions, Mula reached a global audience through cinema. In Luc Besson's 1997 film The Fifth Element, she provided the singing voice for the character Plavalaguna. Her contribution included the aria Il dolce suono from Gaetano Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor and the composition known as The Diva Dance. At the time of this production, she was credited as Inva Mula Çako. Throughout her career, she has frequently collaborated with the French-Albanian pianist Genc Tukiçi.
Fast facts
- Born: 27 June 1963, Tirana, Albania
- Occupation: Lyric soprano, opera singer
- Education: University of Arts, Albania
- Parents: Avni Mula and Nina Mula
- Film credit: The Fifth Element (1997)
- Significant competition: Operalia (1993)
- Spouse: Hetem Ramadani
Questions readers ask
Did Inva Mula perform the music for The Fifth Element?
Yes, she provided the singing voice for the character Plavalaguna, performing an aria from Lucia di Lammermoor and The Diva Dance.
Has she used different names professionally?
Yes, she previously used the name Inva Mula Çako during her marriage to composer Pirro Çako but transitioned to using Inva Mula after the mid-1990s.
Achievements
- Instruments: voice
- Genres: opera and classical music
