BNT, a coverage by Miglena Stoicheva

The Sofia Opera adds one of Verdi’s most challenging operas to its repertoire. Director Vera Petrova does her own take on the masterpiece “MacBeth”. Even though the production strictly adheres to Shakespeare’s work and Verdi’s score, it also adds a contemporary layer which engages the audience with the modern dimension of the conflict between morals and the lust for power.

The opera “MacBeth” is also a big challenge for the production team which is tasked with bringing the production to life on stage and for the audience which must embrace the philosophical messages left by Shakespeare and Verdi; Vera Petrova’s director’s questions she will pose to her future viewers are also added into the mix. The main question among them is: “What door would you open if the key to life ambition were to fall into your hands?”

Vera Petrova, director: “Our goal while setting this piece was to preserve the fundamental life questions which Verdi and Shakespeare pose on the meaning of life, what this meaning is, whether there is meaning to life and what is, in fact, truly important in a person’s life.”

I believe we can show the audience a fantasy thriller; this is not a sci-fi but a fantasy which works with supernatural elements. I believe if we’ve managed to figure out the questions, not the answers these two great geniuses pose to us, then maybe we will attract the audience and give it the opportunity to see a production with a different concept.

“MacBeth” is a complex title for singers because the parts are extremely hard and very vocally demanding. The Sofia Opera has invited the Italian singer Alessandro di Giorgio for the premiere who will take on the role of the cruel Lady MacBeth.

Alessandra di Giorgio: “Nowadays, it very often happens that singers with too lyrical voices perform as Lady MacBeth. However, I don’t recommend this, not just because of vocal technique reasons, not just because this can ruin the character’s voice but also because of Lady MacBeth’s specific voice which can never tell this story. We can all sing these notes but the main difference is in the voice’s nuance”.

Verdi’s genius adds another musical dimension to Shakespeare’s masterpiece thus turning the opera “MacBeth” into a must-see piece for music lovers.

https://bntnews.bg/news/premiera-v-nacionalnata-opera-makbet-se-zavrashta-na-scenata-v-sofiya-1380982news.html