An entire plethora of opera stars shine in the sky above Sofia: both figuratively and literally. Elite names in this vocal art are here for the Sofia Opera’s open stage performances in front of the “Alexander Nevsky” cathedral. Which stars are going to sing for the Bulgarian audience?
This summer, there won’t be any need to go to Arena di Verona, Torre del Lago or to Bregenz Lake to hear first class opera singers perform. You can now do this in the center of Sofia where big world-famous names will guest star in Plamen Kartaloff’s productions of “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci”. Conductor will be maestro Daniel Oren: one of the last representatives of the golden era of opera.
You will be able to hear Jorge de Leon, Ekaterina Semenchuk and Carolina Lopez Moreno perform. Nino Machaidze, also known as the Angelina Jolie of the opera world will also guest star. She began her career in Georgia when she was sixteen years old. She polished her voice at the La Scala academy where the great Turkish singer Leyla Gencer turned her into something much more than just a good singer.
Nino Machaidze: “She turned me into an artist: from a good singer into a good actress, and the difference is big. What’s the difference, you ask? A great singer is just that: a great singer. He will sing and will demonstrate how good he is. However, the artist is the one who makes you feel emotions and shiver in delight.”
Conductor Daniel Oren almost never works with singers with whom he hasn’t intensively collaborated for many years. He, however accepted to work with one Bulgarian singer: Gergana Rusekova. Thus, Rusekova stands as an equal next to her colleagues in the world of opera. She doesn’t see the performances conducted by Oren as her chance to get into the “big league”.
Gergana Rusekova, Sofia Opera lead singer: “I can’t say I’m getting into “another league”. This is all a bit pretentious for me. I believe whoever likes and follows me as a singer will continue to do so, despite this great conductor having chosen me. Of course, this is a big compliment and a boost to my ego but it’s not the most important thing. Every day we have new battles to fight and every day you must prove yourself and grow in this line of work.”
The performances at the square promise to deliver truly thrilling opera. Plamen Kartaloff’s impactful directorship and conductor Daniel Oren’s exceptional musical level is a guarantee for this.