(Photo: Sofia Opera & Ballet) Having successfully staged strong productions of “Das Rheingold” and “Die Walküre,” followed by a slightly less convincing presentation of “Siegfried,” Sofia Opera & Ballet concluded its new production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle with a splendid performance of “Götterdämmerung.” Not only was it musically, dramatically and visually gripping, but it also successfully brought together the threads {…}
(Photo: Sofia Opera & Ballet) After a very successful performance of “Die Walküre,” expectations were running high for Sofia Opera & Ballet’s production of “Siegfried,” the third opera in the company’s latest Ring Cycle. Unfortunately, however, it fell short of the standards set by the two preceding operas, “Das Rheingold” and “Die Walküre,” and was dwarfed by the excellent presentation {…}
Photo: Sofia Opera & Ballet Having successfully established its aesthetic and dramatic foundations during its production of “Das Rheingold” on the previous evening, Sofia Opera continued with its new presentation of Wagner’s Ring Cycle for what turned out to be a musically and theatrically strong performance of “Die Walküre.” Kartaloff’s Visually Stunning Direction The director, Plamen Kartaloff, along with his {…}
(Photo: Sofia Opera & Ballet) Bulgaria’s Sofia Opera has just premiered its new production of Wagner’s Ring cycle, its second in the last 13 years. Perhaps even more remarkable, however, is the fact that in a country with a population of less than seven million people, the cycle was cast almost entirely using home-grown talent, with only two singers coming {…}
Maria Guleghina is set to return to the stage on June 18 in a production of “Parsifal.” The soprano will sing the role of Kundry at the Sofia Opera in Bulgaria. In a statement, Guleghina said, “Dear friends, I am very happy to invite you to the fantastic production of academia. Kartalov the opera “Parsifal.” Expect beautiful music and fantastic {…}
OperaVision is set to present the Sofia Opera and Ballet’s “Atilla” production. The opera will be streamed on March 19 in Plamen Kartaloff’s production at the historic Tsarevets fortress in Veliko Tarnovo. The cast for the historic 2011 performance included bass Orlin Anastasov in the title role, Radostina Nikolaeva as Odabella, Ventseslav Anastasov as Ezio, Daniel Damyanov as Foresto, Dimitar {…}
The Sofia Opera is set to present R.Strauss’ “Elektra” for the very first time in the company’s history. The opera will be directed by Plamen Kartaloff and represents an extremely complex creative task facing the troupe for Bulgaria. For the new production, only Bulgarian singers will perform including Lilia Kehayova and Diana Guglina as Elektra, Gergana Rusekova, Mariana Zvetkova, and {…}
The Sofia Opera and Ballet in Bulgaria has announced the eighth Sofia Wagner Strauss Festival, which will kick off this November. The festival will begin with a performance of Wagner’s “Parsifal.” The opera stars Kostadin Andreev, Atanas Mladenov, Biser Georgiev, and Radostina Nikolaeva, among others. Plamen Kartaloff directs the production with Constantin Trinks conducting. Performance Date: Nov. 8, 2020 Next up {…}
The Sofia Opera and Ballet opened the 2020-21 season on Oct. 9 with the Bulgarian opera “Yana’s Nine Brothers” by Lyubomir Pipkov. The opening celebrated the 130th anniversary of the Sofia Opera and featured soloists Lilia Mihaylova, Svetozar Rangelov, Gergana Rusekova, Hrisimir Damyanov, Rumyana Petrova, Biser Georgiev, and Krasimir Dinev. During opening night Prof. Plamen Kartaloff, a member of the Academy {…}
While the coronavirus has put a strain on much of the performing arts worldwide, the Sofia Opera and Ballet of Bulgaria is currently mid-way through its revised summer season, presenting new and familiar works at a number of stages in the region while staying in accordance with the country’s health and safety guidelines. As part of its “Muses on the {…}
The Sofia Opera and Ballet were evacuated on Saturday, due to a powerful smell. During the March 18 performance of Borodin’s “Prince Igor,” a powerful smell started to pour through the theater that was described as suffocating. A total of 650 people, including cast and audience, were ordered to leave the building and no one was injured. The Interior Ministry said {…}