 In 1995 Futral won 2nd prize in Plácido Domingo's Operalia International Opera Competition.In 1996 she was invited to the Rossini Opera Festival to sing the title role in the first production of Rossini's "Matilde di Shabran" since 1821.Later that year, she sang the role of Catherine in Meyerbeer's "L'étoile du nord" at the Wexford Festival.