The fact that one of the most renowned Wagner festivals in Europe takes place in the heart of the Bulgarian capital still comes as a surprise to many music lovers. However, under the direction of Plamen Kartaloff, the Sofia Opera has long since developed into a magnet for Wagner lovers, a place where the great works of the Bayreuth master shine anew with impressive intensity. The rediscovery of the Wagner cosmos far from the expected centers is one of the most beautiful cultural surprises of recent years - and the Wagner Festival 2026 continues this success story impressively.

Anyone traveling to Sofia is in for much more than just a musical experience. The city itself - a fascinating place between ancient past, Orthodox spirituality and vibrant present - forms the atmospheric stage for a festival that has become a jewel in the European music scene. Museums, galleries, Roman excavations and magnificent churches frame the visit, while Bulgarian specialties and the warm hospitality of the city create an atmospheric whole. However, the opera remains the center of interest.

"Tannhäuser" © Sofia Opera & Ballet House

In 2026, Plamen Kartaloff opens the festival with "Tannhäuser", one of his favorite Wagner works. Kartaloff, who has been the artistic driving force behind Sofia Opera for a quarter of a century, is known for his visually powerful and passionate Wagner readings that are close to the text. Once again, he leads the audience into the dazzling world of the knight-poet Tannhäuser, caught between spiritual longing, sensual temptation and the eternal struggle for redemption. His productions are characterized by an extraordinary clarity of narrative - a quality that impresses international Wagner connoisseurs in particular.
In addition to Tannhäuser, six major productions are on the program in 2026: the complete tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen and Lohengrin. The demands are high, but Kartaloff's ensemble - top Bulgarian singers and renowned international guests - meets this challenge with impressive musical power. Kartaloff repeatedly emphasizes that Wagner saw the orchestra as a "speaking entity": Music and scene are inextricably linked. It is precisely this attitude that characterizes his work and makes the productions of the Sofia Opera so unmistakable.
The festival traditionally opens not only the famous opera stage, but also numerous summer stages in and around Sofia. This allows it to reach a diverse audience that appreciates opera, ballet and musicals in equal measure. In this way, high art is combined with an open concept of culture and creates a space in which Wagner can be experienced in a new way - directly, passionately and in a contemporary way.
In early summer 2026, Sofia will once again be transformed into a meeting place for Wagner fans from all over the world. Those who get involved in this festival will not only experience great music, but also a city that becomes a stage - and an opera that shows with courage, dedication and artistic vision what it can mean to interpret Wagner in the 21st century.
May 26 to June 14, 2026
www.operasofia.bg