THE SOFIA OPERA MEETS THE CHALLENGES OF COVID-19
27 Oct 2020Sofia Opera and Ballet

THE SOFIA OPERA MEETS THE CHALLENGES OF COVID-19

 

The new season of the Sofia Opera opened doors for its loyal audience not only with a rich bouquet of opera spectacles, which the audience applauded a long time and as if it didn’t want to part with the emotion. It was taken in an unusual hall. The hall is turned into a real garden. On each empty chair, separating the spectators, “is present” a bouquet of flowers. The orchestra is situated in the free of chairs space of the stalls with every member of the orchestra at the necessary distance from the other one.

At the last spectacle, “Norma” by Bellini (23.10.2020) we were witnesses of one exceptional director’s solution – behind a transparent plastic curtain the members of the chorus were singing with masks, keeping distance of one meter from each other, and on the fore-stage were the soloists. An example for observing all measures.

The Director of our first theatre, Acad. Plamen Kartaloff , “pulled themselves together” for a short time all services of the Opera, in order to meet the requirements, imposed by the pandemic. He took also the not easy decision to cancel for two weeks spectacles even by very good sales, as well as by sold out spectacles. All this with the purpose to keep safe the artists and the audience.

In a letter to the President Conte at the occasion of the closing of the theatres and the concert halls in Italy, Riccardo Muti wrote:
“The theatres are directed by people, acquainted with the indicated measures against Covid, at that the measures have always been observed, as it was recommended.
Please, fulfil our request not only of the artists, but also of the audience, to be resumed the theatrical and musical activity, that necessity of spiritual food, without which the society degenerates.”

The Sofia Opera observes the necessary measures, in order to offer its audience feasts, which strengthen the spirit and the health.