Варна приглашает на летний фестиваль оперы
«Литва путешествует»
Несколько дней назад «Обзор» под новой рубрикой «Литва путешествует» опубликовал первый текст. Он был из Болгарии и рассказывал об удивительном культурном феномене - опере под открытым небом в Варне.
Оказалось, что это интересно не только тем, кто сейчас находится в Болгарии.
Для них и для потенциальных туристов и любителей оперы «Обзор» публикует также полную программу летнего фестиваля в Варне (на английском языке, в конце текста).
«Обзор» также хотел бы отдельно обратить особое внимание на запланированные в программе классические концерты, оперы, балеты:
4 июля: Кармен (опера Жоржа Бизе)
14 июля: Оперная гала Веризмо (концерт с участием Анны Пироцци, Винченцо Костанцо). Анна Пироцци хорошо известна любителям оперы, а Диану Дамрау и Соню Йончеву, которые выступят позже, без всякой натяжки, с полным правом, можно назвать суперзвездами.
15 июля: Катерина, дочь разбойника (балет Чезаре Пуньи, хореография Сергея Боброва и Юлианы Малхасянц)
17 июля: Четыре итальянских тенора (концерт с участием Уго Тарквини, Алессандро Фантони, Джанни Леччезе, Джованни Мария Пальмия)
18 июля: С музыкой Штрауса (гала-концерт)
23 июля: Лебединое озеро (балет П. И. Чайковского, хореография Сергея Боброва)
24 июля: Гала-концерт Дианы Дамрау
5 августа: Тоска (опера Джакомо Пуччини, с участием Сони Йончевой)
9 августа: Пиковая Дама (опера П. И. Чайковского, с участием Сони Йончевой и Арсена Согомоняна). Арсен Согомонян, к слову, пел с Йончевой в "Пиковой Даме" месяц назад в Нью-Йорке, в последнюю минуту заменив Брайана Джагде. После первого спектакля писали, что он пел неплохо, но был собой недоволен, поскольку, надо полагать, смог продемонстрировать публике весь свой талант. А после второго спектакля ни у кого уже не было сомнений, что перед нами - настоящийталант и что он еще вернется на эту сцену.
20 августа: Русалка (опера Антонина Дворжака, с участием Красимиры Стояновой)
27 августа: Фауст (опера Шарля Гуно).
Фестиваль в Варне предлагает публике не только оперу, наверняка трудно будет добыть билеты также на такие популярные всегда представления, как концерты и мюзиклы:
10 июля: Дисней - мечта сбывается (концерт)
21 июля: Дух (мюзикл)
13 августа: Собор Парижской богоматери (концерт)
21 августа: Аладдин (концерт)
25 августа: Тина (концерт, посвященный музыке Тины Тёрнер)
OPERA AT THE SUMMER THEATER VARNA 2025
SIXTEENTH EDITION
Dear viewers,
Another exciting season of Opera at the Summer Theater is before us. With each passing year, we enhance the experience we offer to our beloved audience. The sixteenth edition of the festival, which has established itself as one of the musical emblems of our city, comes with hit titles, world-renowned names and outstanding performances.
Four exceptional opera divas will grace our stage this summer. For the first time in Varna, superstars Anna Pirozzi and Diana Damrau will give special gala concerts. We will see Sonya Yoncheva again in two productions – in her emblematic role of Tosca and as Liza in “The Queen of Spades”. In the first-ever production of “Rusalka” by Dvořák at our opera house, the central role will be performed by Krassimira Stoyanova. The world-renowned sopranos will be joined by tenors Vincenzo Costanzo, Arsen Soghomonyan and Gerard Schneider.
We will also hear the soloists of the Varna Opera, who are following in the footsteps of the world stars, in other wonderful titles: the eternal “La Traviata”, the fiery “Carmen”, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the first production of the opera, and the premiere of “Faust”.
Our concert module includes both classical and contemporary repertoire. We have dedicated a gala concert with his music to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Johann Strauss Jr. A mix of great arias and popular canzonettas will be presented by The Four Italian Tenors, whom we have invited again after the enthusiastic response from audiences in many Bulgarian cities. In the good tradition of concerts with film music performed by a symphony orchestra, our audience will hear the melodies of Nino Rota, written for world film classics. The concerts with the songs of rock and roll icon Tina Turner and with the music from the most popular Disney films are strong highlights in our program. Our newest musical “Aladdin” has a two-date premiere, “Notre-Dame de Paris” is back on our stage, and the hit “Ghost” will once again make the audience laugh and cry. For ballet enthusiasts, we have prepared two magnificent performances – “Swan Lake” and “Кatharina, or the Robber's Daughter”.
Great names in Bulgarian and world conducting will lead our orchestra this season as well: Jacopo Sipari di Pescasseroli, Grigor Palikarov, Nayden Todorov, Pavel Balev, Svetoslav Borisov, Krastin Nastev, Stratsimir Pavlov, Roberto Molinelli, Peter Sulkovski, Hristo Pavlov, Azat Maksutov, Benedetto Montebello.
Join us to make summer 2025 an unforgettable musical experience!
Daniela Dimova
Director of the Theatre and Music Production Center Varna
June 14
Opera Gala
Opera concert
Conductor Krastin Nastev
Director Srebrina Sokolova
Choir Conductor Teodora Georgieva
Soloists: Ilina Mihaylova, Linka Stoyanova, Maria Radoeva, Valeriy Georgiev, Reinaldo Droz, Samuel Robertson, Plamen Dimitrov, Deyan Vachkov
State Opera Varna Orchestra and Choir
Opera at the Summer Theater Varna 2025 begins with a special gala concert featuring the best of Italian opera music. The program includes the most popular arias, duets and ensembles by the masters of Italian bel canto Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti in the first part and the most beautiful of Verdi in the second part. The bouquet of audience-favorite melodies includes excerpts from “The Barber of Seville”, “Don Carlos”, “A Masked Ball”, “Aida”, “L'elisir d'amore”, “Lucia di Lammermoor”, etc., performed by the soloists and orchestra of the Varna Opera and guest singers. Krastin Nastev is the conductor.
June 18, August 21
Aladdin
Premiere
Concert in costumes
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Tim Rice, Howard Ashman, Chad Beguelin
Director Petko Bonev
Conductor and orchestration Stratsimir Pavlov
Choreography Anna Pampulova
Set and costume design Asya Stoimenova
3D mapping Lora Runevska – elektrick.me
Soloists, orchestra and ballet of the State Opera Varna
Based on the hit Disney animated film of the same name, the show takes audiences of all ages on an exciting journey with Aladdin, Princess Jasmine and the Genie of the lamp. The film's soundtrack is among the most popular worldwide and was written by the master of musicals Alan Menken, who received two Oscars for it – for original film music and for the song “A Whole New World”. The production of the State Opera Varna is lavish, colorful and captivating, the work of director Petko Bonev and conductor Stratsimir Pavlov with choreography by Anna Pampoulova and beautiful set and costume design by Asya Stoimenova.
June 24
With the music of Nino Rota
Multimedia concert
Conductor Benedetto Montebello
Director Srebrina Sokolova
Choir Conductor Teodora Georgieva
State Opera Varna Orchestra and Choir
The multimedia concert “With the music of Nino Rota” presents the best of the film music of the composer, written for the great masterpieces of Italian and world cinema. Under the baton of Benedetto Montebello, the immortal melodies from the films of Visconti, Wertmüller, Monicelli, Fellini, Zeffirelli and Coppola will be heard. In 1968, the world relived the story of Romeo and Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's film version with music by Nino Rota. In 1972, “The Godfather” was released and made the Italian composer globally famous. For the second part of the film, Nino Rota was awarded an Oscar and began to be called “The Godfather of film music”. The concert program also includes excerpts from the soundtracks of classics such as “The Great War”, “The Leopard”, “La Dolce Vita”, “8½”, etc.
June 27
La Traviata
Opera by Giuseppe Verdi
Conductor Jacopo Sipari di Pescasseroli
Production, set and costume design by Kuzman Popov
Director Srebrina Sokolova
Ballet master Zhelka Tabakova
VIOLETTA Alexandrina Mihaylova
ALFREDO GERMONT Reinaldo Droz
GIORGIO GERMONT Svilen Nikolov
Soloists, orchestra, choir and ballet of the State Opera Varna
Verdi's most emotional opera with the most emotional conductor, Maestro Jacopo Sipari di Pescasseroli, will take the audience to Paris to relive the dramatic love story of the lady of the camellias, Violetta Valéry, and her beloved Alfredo Germont. The brilliant singers Alexandrina Mihaylova and Reinaldo Droz, both students of Raina Kabaivanska and leading soloists of the Varna Opera, will perform their roles. The lavish production of one of the most popular operas in the world is directed by Srebrina Sokolova.
July 4
Carmen
Opera by Georges Bizet
Conductor Grigor Palikarov
Production by Kuzman Popov
Director Elena Stoyanova
Choreographer Anna Pampoulova
CARMEN Florentina Soare
DON JOSE Valeriy Georgiev
ESCAMILLO Ivo Yordanov
MICHAELA Zhana Kostova
ZUNIGA Evgeniy Stanimirov
MORALES Michail Valchev
With the participation of the Children's Choir at the Varna Children's and Youth Opera with conductor Gancho Ganchev
Soloists, orchestra, choir and ballet of the State Opera Varna
The performance of Bizet's fiery opera marks the 150th anniversary of the work's first production, which premiered in Paris in 1875 and managed to scandalize the audience with the audacity of the main character. The story of the seductress Carmen and the fatal love of Don José in rivalry with the bullfighter Escamillo is a musical masterpiece, containing the most emblematic arias “Habanera“ and “Toreador Song”. The brilliant Romanian mezzo-soprano Florentina Soare takes on the main role of Carmen. The Varna Symphony Orchestra will play under the baton of Maestro Grigor Palikarov.
July 10
Disney - a dream come true
Multimedia concert
Conductor Roberto Molinelli
Director Srebrina Sokolova
Choir Conductor Teodora Georgieva
Soloists: Sally Moriconi (voice), Cristian Levantaci (actor – voice), Biagio Labanca (guitar)
State Opera Varna Orchestra and Choir
The show is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founding of Disney and presents a theatrical and musical performance that brings together melodies, images and lines from the most beloved animated films in the company's century-long history. The stage comes alive with the beloved songs of Snow White, Cinderella, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and many other hit melodies arranged by the master of crossover concerts Roberto Molinelli. The visiting Italian soloists and the orchestra of the Varna Opera will make the audience experience unforgettable emotions.
July 14
Verismo Gala with Anna Pirozzi
Opera concert
Conductor Jacopo Sipari di Pescasseroli
Director Srebrina Sokolova
With the special participation of Anna Pirozzi and Vincenzo Costanzo
Soloists and Orchestra of State Opera Varna
The world superstar, the dramatic soprano Anna Pirozzi, is a special guest at the opera gala concert with a repertoire from the Verismo period. This is the first visit to Varna of the opera prima with a rapid career at the Vienna State Opera, Arena di Verona, Covent Garden. Anna Pirozzi will perform selected excerpts from works by Verdi, Puccini, Cilea and others, and the Italian tenor Vincenzo Costanzo will be her partner on stage, along with the soloists of the Varna Opera. The temperamental Jacopo Sipari di Pescasseroli will be at the conductor's podium.
July 15
Katharina, or the Robber's Daughter
Ballet by Cesare Pugni
Original libretto by Jules Perrot
Edited version and choreography by Sergey Bobrov and Yuliana Malkhasyants
Set design by Asya Stoimenova
State Opera Varna Ballet
Joint project of the State Opera Varna and the Varna Summer International Music Festival.
A grand revival of the forgotten ballet by librettist Jules Perrot and composer Cesare Pugni, Sergey Bobrov's production has been granted Varna Award 2024. The ballet, which has not been staged for almost two centuries, premiered in 1846 at the Royal Theater in London. Jules Perrot based the libretto on the 17th-century Italian painter Salvator Rosa and the true story of his capture by a gang of bandits, whose leader he falls in love with. The artist's life is turned into a romantic drama with capture and liberation, pursuit, comic transformations and tragic insights. In Bobrov's production, classical ballet techniques and captivating virtuosity are masterfully combined. In addition to the choreography, the ballet impresses with the language of gestures, the large number of artists on stage and the lavish vision. The unconventional triple finale leads the viewer from a dramatic to a happy ending. Pugni's music is performed live by the Varna Symphony Orchestra.
July 17
The Four Italian Tenors
Multimedia concert
Conductor Hristo Pavlov
Soloists: Ugo Tarquini, Alessandro Fantoni, Gianni Leccese, Giovanni Maria Palmia
State Opera Varna Orchestra
Four outstanding tenors from the birthplace of opera, Italy, will gift the audience an evening of beloved opera arias and popular Italian songs. Singers Alessandro Fantoni, Gianni Leccese, Giovanni Maria Palmia, and Ugo Tarquini, under the baton of maestro Hristo Pavlov and accompanied by the Varna Symphony Orchestra, will transport the audience on a journey through beautiful Italy. The project, “The Four Italian Tenors”, was born from the idea of forming a vocal quartet that elevates Italian and popular music from around the world, utilizing one of the most impressive vocal registers – the tenor voice. The concert program combines the most famous opera arias and some of the most beloved popular Italian songs: “La donna è mobile” from “Rigoletto”, “Nessun dorma” from “Turandot”, timeless classics like “O sole mio”, “Un amore così grande”, Volare" and many others.
July 18
With the music of Strauss
Gala concert
200 years since the birth of Johann Strauss Jr.
Conductor Peter Sulkovski
Director Alexander Mutafchiyski
Choreographer Antoaneta Alexieva
Soloists, choir, ballet, and orchestra of the State Opera Varna
Dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Johann Strauss Jr., the emotional spectacle will take the audience to a lavish ball with the star being the eternal and captivating music of the composer. Strauss Jr. is the author of over 500 waltzes, polkas, marches, quadrilles, and a large number of operettas. He was dubbed “The Waltz King”, and his immense contribution popularized this dance in Vienna during the 19th century. The soloists, choir, and ballet of the State Opera Varna will present excerpts from “Die Fledermaus”, “The Gypsy Baron”, “Wiener Blut”, as well as the emblematic “The Blue Danube”, “Radetzky March”, etc. Conductor is Peter Sulkovski.
July 21
Ghost
Musical
Music by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard
Libretto by Dave Stewart, Glen Ballard and Bruce Joel Rubin
Director Srebrina Sokolova
Conductor Stratsimir Pavlov
Set and Visual Artist Petko Tanchev
Costume Designer Asya Stoimenova
Choreographer Nadya Dimokova
Lighting Designer Daniel Yovkov
SAM WHEAT Viktor Ibrishimov
MOLLY JENSEN Valeria Vasilenko
CARL BRUNERNeycho Pertov-Reggie
ODA MAE BROWN Militsa Gladnishka
Soloists, Orchestra and Ballet of State Opera Varna
Based on the Hollywood film of the same name starring Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze, and Whoopi Goldberg, the musical “Ghost” premiered in Manchester in 2011 and soon after conquered the West End stages and Broadway. The story tells of the loving couple Sam and Molly, whose idyllic happiness is shattered, Sam dies and remains captured between this world and the other. Medium Oda Mae Brown helps Sam connect with his beloved one and warn her of a danger she doesn't suspect. The emblematic song “Unchained Melody”, which was the theme of the film and performed by the Righteous Brothers, takes a central place in the musical. With its touching and spiritual themes of love, loss and the afterlife, the spectacle captivates with its beautiful music, impressive visual effects, great acting and a story that combines romance, mystery and thriller. In the role of Oda Mae Brown is the brilliant Militsa Gladnishka.
July 23
Swan Lake
Ballet by P. I. Tchaikovsky
Choreography by Sergey Bobrov
Conductor Azat Maksutov
Set and costumes by Sergey Bobrov and Asya Stoimenova
State Opera Varna Orchestra and Ballet
“Swan Lake” is a symbol of classical ballet and one of the most enduring in the world due to its dramatic plot, beautiful music by Tchaikovsky and unsurpassed choreography. The staging by the chief choreographer of the State Opera Varna, Sergey Bobrov, follows the original libretto written by the brothers Modest and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and it stands out with its respectful classicism, exquisite and masterful dance of the ballet artists. The performances of “Swan Lake” performed by the Varna Ballet receive ovations all over the world, and are especially enthusiastically received in the most renowned theaters on the French and English stages.
July 24
Opera Gala SOLE E AMORE with Diana Damrau
Opera concert
Conductor Pavel Balev
Director Srebrina Sokolova
State Opera Varna Orchestra
The opera concert marks the first appearance in Varna of the world-renowned singer Diana Damrau, with the orchestra of the State Opera Varna conducted by maestro Pavel Balev. For over two decades, the lyrical and coloratura soprano has conquered the greatest opera and concert stages with a repertoire of leading and captivating vocal pieces. Her interpretation of the Queen of the Night from Mozart’s “Magic Flute” is among the most emblematic in the world. Diana Damrau is a Kammersängerin of the Bavarian State Opera (since 2007), a recipient of the Bavarian Order of Merit for Science and Art “Maximilian” (2010), and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2021).
August 5
Tosca
Opera by Giacomo Puccini
Conductor Nayden Todorov
Production Kuzman Popov
Director Srebrina Sokolova
Set Designer Maria Dimanova
FLORIA TOSCA Sonya Yoncheva
CAVARADOSSI Valeriy Georgiev
BARON SCARPIA Plamen Dimitrov
With the special participation of Sonya Yoncheva in the role of Floria Tosca
With the participation of the Children's Choir at the Varna Children's and Youth Opera with conductor Gancho Ganchev
Sonya Yoncheva will embody Tosca, an emblematic character for her career, under the baton of Nayden Todorov – a renowned conductor in Bulgaria and worldwide and a director of Sofia Philharmonic. In February of this year, the Bulgarian soprano with a world-class career was Tosca in a series of performances at the Vienna Opera, and in July 2024, she captivated Rome and London with the role. Her performances in Vienna have caused delight among the critics: “Sonya Yoncheva is also visually a Tosca straight out of a storybook. Her multifaceted soprano flows effortlessly, without strain or breaks, and is deeply moving, especially in her signature aria, Vissi d’arte. She portrays the role with remarkable nuances: passionate and imperious as the jealous diva, yet also pleading and desperate as a woman in distress, and ultimately, a merciless murderess.” (Dr. Helmut Christian Mayer, Opera-Online).
August 9
The Queen of Spades
Opera by P. I. Tchaikovsky
Conductor Grigor Palikarov
Director Vera Nemirova
Set and Costumes by Yuliyan Tabakov
Choreographer Anna Pampoulova
LISA Sonya Yoncheva
GERMAN Arsen Soghomonyan
COUNTESS Boyka Vassileva
PRINCE YELETSKY Ivo Yordanov
COUNT TOMSKY/ ZLATOROG Plamen Dimitrov
CHEKALINSKY Artem Arutyunov
SURIN Geo Chobanov
CHAPLITSKY Velin Mihaylov
NARUMOV Peter Petrov
POLINA/MILOVZOR Michaela Berova
Soloists, orchestra, choir, and ballet of the State Opera Varna
Following her debut in May as Liza in “The Queen of Spades” at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, Sonya Yoncheva will perform the role on the Varna stage in Vera Nemirova's production. The spectacle is among the signature productions of the State Opera Varna, featuring impressive sets by Yuliyan Tabakov and a modern directorial approach to Tchaikovsky's masterpiece based on Pushkin's novella. Liza's part will resonate with the tender lyrical voice of the opera diva, and in the role of German, she will be partnered by the world-renowned tenor Arsen Soghomonyan. The performance will be conducted by maestro Grigor Palikarov.
August 13
Notre-Dame de Paris
Concert in costumes
Music by Riccardo Cocciante
Director Petko Bonev
Conductor Stratsimir Pavlov
Set and Costumes by Asya Stoimenova
3D mapping elektrick.Me
Choreography Stanislava Tomova
Soloists, orchestra, choir, and ballet of the State Opera Varna
Inspired by Victor Hugo's eponymous novel, “Notre-Dame de Paris” is a legendary French-Canadian musical created by Riccardo Cocciante and Luc Plamondon. Following its premiere in Paris in 1998, the production captivated over 12 million viewers worldwide. Over its 20-year history, the musical boasts over 11 million album sales and over 5,000 performances in more than 20 countries. Immersed in the atmosphere of 15th-century Paris, the audience will enjoy the tragic story of Esmeralda and Quasimodo. The Notre-Dame cathedral comes to life on stage through 3D mapping, and the talented artists of the State Opera Varna recount a story of love, fate, and politics, convincingly recreating the medieval world at the dawn of the modern era.
August 20
Rusalka
Premiere
Opera by Antonín Dvořák
First published by: Bärenreiter Praha s.r.o.
Joint project of the State Opera Varna and the Varna Summer International Music Festival.
Conductor Pavel Balev
Director Srebrina Sokolova
Set design and mapping Petko Tanchev
Costume design Asya Stoimenova
Choreographer Nadya Dimokova
Stage lighting Valentin Andonov
RUSALKA Krassimira Stoyanova
PRINCE Gerard Schneider
Orchestra, choir and ballet of the State Opera Varna
Krassimira Stoyanova will perform the main role in Dvořák's opera “Rusalka”, which will be staged for the first time in the history of the State Opera Varna, directed by Srebrina Sokolova. The conductor is Pavel Balev – one of the most prominent Bulgarian conductors with a career in prestigious German opera houses. Through the tragic fate of the opera's heroine, the production raises questions about the impossible connection between the invisible world and the world of people, born of technological progress, alienation from nature and consumerist passions in human existence. Dvořák's work is not just a romantic tale of impossible love, but a philosophical reflection on man and the world he tries to subdue. Following Krassimira Stoyanova's debut in the role at the Zurich Opera House, the critics commented: “Everything remains in the shadow of the magnificent soprano voice of Krassimira Stoyanova – a voice full of warmth and expressiveness, tender and light like nature, intonationally impeccably pure, with a free-flowing, subtly trembling vibrato. In “Rusalka”, the Bulgarian singer is a perfect choice for “Rusalka!”
August 25
Tina
Tribute Concert
Director Srebrina Sokolova
Conductor Roberto Molinelli
Soloists: Caroline Borołe, Antonello Carozza, Rozalia Zhelyazkova
State Opera Varna Orchestra
The conductor and arranger Roberto Molinelli, known worldwide for his crossover concerts where rock meets classical music, will lead the Varna Symphony Orchestra in a tribute concert dedicated to the legendary rock and roll icon Tina Turner. The electrifying experience includes the singer's greatest hits from the 60s to the 90s of the 20th century. The captivating vocals, dances and powerful stage presence of the South African Caroline Borołe, the Italian Antonello Carozza and the soloist of the Varna Opera Rozalia Zhelyazkova, famous for her participation in “The Voice of Bulgaria” reality show, guarantee an unforgettable show with the beloved music of Tina.
August 27
Faust
Premiere
Opera by Charles Gounod
Director Vera Nemirova
Conductor Svetoslav Borisov
Set Designer Olga von Wahl
Costume Designer Yuliyan Tabakov
Choreographer Anna Pampoulova
Multimedia Dimitar Ivanov
FAUST Reinaldo Droz
MEFISTOPHELES Deyan Vachkov
MARGUERITE Ilina Mihaylova
VALENTIN Ivo Yordanov
WAGNER Geo Chobanov
SIEBEL Liliya Ilieva-Mihaylova
MARTHE Michaela Berova
Soloists, orchestra, choir, and ballet of the State Opera Varna
With the participation of the Varna Children's and Youth Opera with conductor Gancho Ganchev
With the special participation of Stoyan Radev.
Gounod's work is one of the most popular operas created in the second half of the 19th century. The librettists Jules Barbier and Michel Carré adapted Goethe's poem, which inspired a number of composers, but it became a musical masterpiece specifically in Charles Gounod's version. The story of Faust's temptation by the Devil, who receives youth and the love of Marguerite, is presented by director Vera Nemirova with her specific contemporary touch. She collaborates again with Yuliyan Tabakov, who is the costume designer, and the set designer for the spectacle is Olga von Wahl. Svetoslav Borisov will conduct "Faust" at the finale of a brilliant season of Opera of the Summer Theater Varna 2025.
