Скъпи приятели,
Dear friends,
In April, the Sofia Opera and Ballet invites you to a journey into the world of great music, powerful passion and unforgettable characters.
We’ve prepared a rich repertoire for you consisting of opera masterpieces and ballet performances which will turn every evening into a true holiday.
We start the month off with performances of the opera “Don Carlo” by Giuseppe Verdi on the 2nd of April, 7pm, and on the 5th of April, 4pm: a dramatic story of power, love and self-sacrifice brought to life with the participation of the Sofia Opera lead singers, choir and orchestra.
Starring: King Philipp II – Alexander Vinogradov; Don Carlo – Arthur Espiritu; Rodrigo – Atanas Mladenov; Elizabeth Valoa – Radostina Nikolaeva (2.04) and Gabriela Georgieva (5.04); Princess Eboli – Violeta Radomirska (2.04) and Gergana Rusekova (5.04)
Conductor: Oliver von Dohnányi
Director: Plamen Kartaloff
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On the 4th of April, 7pm, you will have the opportunity of enjoying the exceptional opera “Madama Butterfly” by Giacomo Puccini: one of the most thrilling pieces in world opera repertoire performed with gentleness and tragic beauty.
Lila Lee will take on the role of Cho-Cho San. Martin Iliev will perform as Pinkerton. Kiril Manolov – Sharpless; Vesela Yaneva – Suzuki.
Conductor: Giovanni Pompeo
Director: Plamen Kartaloff
The Sofia Opera orchestra and choir
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On the 8th and 9th of April, 7pm, “La Traviata”: one of Giuseppe Verdi’s most famous operas, returns to our stage.
Eleonora Dzhodzhoska-Mladenova will debut in the role of Violetta on the 8th of April; Mila Mihova will perform the same role on the 9th of April. Also starring: Rosen Nenchev (8.04) and Daniel Ostretsov (9.04) – Alfredo Germont; Atanas Mladenov (8.04) and Ventseslav Anastasov (9.04) – Giorgio Germont.
Conductor: Zhorzh Dimitrov
Director: Plamen Kartaloff
With the participation of the Sofia Opera orchestra and choir
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We invite you to the performances of the classic ballet “The Sleeping Beauty” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky on the 17th and 18th of April, 7pm, and on the 19th of April, 4pm.
This performance remains one of the most beloved titles in ballet repertoire with its fairytale atmosphere, exquisite choreography and wonderful score.
On the 18th of April, the amazing Georgian prima ballerina Maia Makhateli will perform the role of Princess Aurora. The same role will also be performed by Boryana Petrova on the 18th of April and on the 19th of April: by Katerina Petrova; Tsetso Ivanov (17.04 and 19.04) and Emil Yordanov (18.04) will perform as Prince Desire
With the participation of Sofia Opera lead singers, orchestra and corps de ballet.
Choreography: Marius Petipa
Directorship: Maria Ilieva
Conductor: Andrei Galanov
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On the 24th and 25th of April, 7pm, the Sofia Opera stage will come to life with “The Magic Flute” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: a piece which will take you into a fantasy world; a world of trials and the triumph of light over darkness presented with exquisiteness and inspiration from our lead singers, orchestra, choir and ballet. The performance is dedicated to the 270th anniversary of the composer’s birth.
Starring: Zarastro – Angel Hristov (24.04) and Biser Georgiev (25.04); Tamino – Emil Pavlov (24.04) and Hrisimir Damyanov (25.04); Pamina – Stefani Krasteva-Pavlova (24.04) and Eleonora Dzhodzhoska-Mladenova (25.04); Queen of the Night: Lucie Kankova; Papageno – Atanas Mladenov; Papagena – Stanislava Momekova.
Conductor: Svetoslav Borisov
Director: Vera Petrova
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On the 26th of April, 4pm, we present the ballet “Zorba the Greek” by Mikis Theodorakis: a performance full of energy, temperament and a strong emotional impact.
The Australian ballet dancer Joshua Legg will star as Zorba; Pamela Pandova-Baneva will debut in the role of Marina; Emil Yordanov – John; Marina Marinova – Madam Orthans; Vincenzo Caruana – Manolios.
Choreography and libretto: Lorca Massine
The Sofia Opera lead ballet dancers and corps de ballet.
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At the end of the month, on the 28th and 29th of April, 7pm, enjoy the ballet masterpiece “La Bayadere” with score by Ludwig Minkus.
Starring: Nikiya – Katerina Petrova (28.04) and Marta Petkova (29.04); Solor – Nikola Hadzhitanev (28.04) and Frederico Pinto (29.04); Gamzatti – Elena Petrova (28.04) and Boryana Petrova (29.04)
Choreography: Marius Petipa and Pavel Salinsky
Conductor: Grigor Palikarov
The Sofia Opera lead ballet dancers, orchestra and corps de ballet
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Our children’s performances on our Chamber stage continue as well as our traditional Saturday matinees at the “Richard Wagner” club, at 11am.
On the days before Easter, on the 9th April, 7pm, at our Chamber Hall, “Stabat Mater” by Giovanni Pergolesi will be performed starring Silvia Teneva, Gergana Rusekova, Yolanta Smolyanova (harpsichord) and the Sofia Opera chamber orchestra.
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We extend a special invitation: on the 25th of April, Saturday, 11am, the documentary “Life is Scary and Yet Very Beautiful” based on Penka Kasabova’s book “Love and Talent: Boris Hristov’s Youth” will be shown in our grand hall.
Free entry!
We’re expecting you!
Yours,
The Sofia Opera and Ballet
P.S. On the 3rd of May, 4pm, you will have the opportunity to enjoy Jessica Pratt’s opera recital: “Spring of a Doomed Love” with conductor Francesco Ivan Ciampa.