The mezzo-soprano Irena Petkova will be guest-performer as Amneris on 8 February at 19.00 h in “Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi. Petkova has been soloist at Slovenia National Theatre – Maribor since 2003 and has been guest-performer at a number of opera theatres and festivals in Europe and Japan. On Maribor stage she has presented the roles: Miss Quickly, Ulrika, Old Lady, Nicklausse, Rosina, Adalgisa, Fenena, Suzuki, Siébel, Charlotte, Preziosilla, Amneris, Carmen, Isabella and others. She has performed oratorio and concert repertoire – “Magnificat” – Bach, Dvořák – “Stabat Mater” – France, “Requiem” by Verdi, “Requiem” by Mozart – Spain, “Gloria” – Vivaldi – Spain, “Te Deum” – Bruckner, “Messa di Gloria” and “Credo” – Donizetti, Symphony No. 8 by G. Mahler, “ Stabat Mater” – Rossini, Pergolesi. She made her debut on the stage of “Musikverein” – Vienna in “Messiah” by Händel.

Irena Petkova was born in Burgas. She graduated the Secondary Music School in 1985 with singing. In 1989 she graduated the State Music Academy “Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia as student of prof. Lili Stefanova. She started working as soloist at Burgas Opera, where she debuted with the role of Carmen. In 1992 she was granted the prestigious mezzo-soprano award at the name of Margarita Lilova at the International competition for young opera singers “Boris Christoff”.

In 1993 she was invited for soloist of the National Opera and Ballet Sofia, on the stage of which she presented herself in the roles: Carmen, Suzuki, Cherubino, Siébel, Rosina. In collaboration with “Pfalzbau Theater” – Ludwigshafen, Germany, she realized the roles: Idamante, Annio, Federica. She was guest-performer in the role of Rosina in Italy, Greece and Germany. She had concert appearances also with Sofia Philharmonic. With the orchestra of the Bulgarian National Radio she made a concert tour in Spain with “Requiem” by Verdi. In collaboration with Music House “Gega” she recorded “Magnificat” by Šimon Brixi. She also recorded a CD with opera arias for mezzo-soprano by Mozart.

Irena Petkova made her debut in the role of Amneris on 28 November 2013 on the stage in Maribor in the production by Pier Francesco Maestrini. Forthcoming are guest-performances of the theatre with Verdi’s opera in Slovenia and Japan. “I was dreaming much about that role because of the dramatism she is filled with. I am coming back on the stage of Sofia Opera and Ballet filled with joy. I am feeling excitement, because, as other colleagues also say, in front of our audience it is difficult to sing. I love our National Opera Theatre, I am feeling comfortably in it“, shared the performer days before her guest-performance in Sofia. About the production of “Aida” by Hugo de Anna in Sofia she says, that it was very beautiful. With the world-known Argentinian Irena Petkova has worked several years ago in Maribor, where he produced “La Traviata”.