“Die Walküre” set the audience on fire
After a series of exceptionally successful tours during the last few years in Füssen, Skopje and Salerno, “Die Walküre” conquered the audience at the Sofia Opera again. Wagnerians from Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the USA were again present in the hall as well as music critics and journalists from international music magazines and digital platforms.
“Die Walküre” is a creation of absolute beauty, an expression of love in all its forms, a recreation of a mythological story with a contemporary look: a masterpiece by Plamen Kartaloff which builds amazing characters while the entire performance is crafted with huge depth and craftsmanship. “Die Walküre” turned into an absolute phenomenon on the Bulgarian and European stage: it’s an exceptional performance which is praised everywhere and is unanimously described by the world music press as an incredible spiritual and emotional experience.
An ocean of emotions very quickly enveloped the hall. “Bravo!” shouts echoed after the end of every act. The famous “Ride of the Valkyries” left the audience in awe as soon as the red steeds appeared which were masterfully controlled by specially prepared ballet dancers, with choreography by Riolina Topalova.
The orchestra and conductor Evan-Alexis Christ presented the score with a brilliant performance of all music lines, with the needed accents in the interpretation and with a dynamic buildup of the composer’s vision. The orchestra and the conductor became one with the exceptional performance of the lead singers: Thomas Hall (Wotan); Tsvetana Bandalovska (Sieglinde); Martin Iliev (Siegmund); Gergana Rusekova (Brunhilde); Niina Keitel (Frika); Bjartni Thor Cristinsson (Hunding) and the eight Valkyries Stanislava Momekova, Silvia Teneva, Lyubov Metodieva, Ina Petrova, Elena Mehandzhiyska, Tsveta Sarambelieva, Alexandrina Stoyanova-Andreeva and Vesela Yaneva. Starring lead ballet dancers Ivan Georgiev, Radul Roglev, Matthew Whittle, Deyan Ivanov, Bogomil Menchise, Dario Yovchevski, Ivan Shopov and Teodor Vodenicharov.
With a huge inspiration, the performers spread the wings of imagination, inspiration, bravery and boldness with which Plamen Kartaloff has set “Die Walküre”. Some viewers who had seen the performance during the Sofia Opera’s tours in Europe as well as during previous editions of the festival, expressed the opinion that “Die Walküre” becomes even more perfect with each following performance. Others shared their amazement by the great professionalism of the Bulgarian singers who take part in several Wagner titles.
Scenography by Hans Kudlich; costumes by Hristiyana Zorbalieva; lighting by Andrew Heidinyak; the multimedia by Elena Shopova brought even more beauty on stage.
The Sofia Opera Wagner festival continues with three more performances: “Siegfried” on the 1st of July, “Götterdämmerung” on the 3rd of July and “Tannhäuser” on the 5th of July.
