Iconic “Tosca” with Sonya Yoncheva and Jonas Kaufmann
On the first festival evening of “Gala in Sofia” 2026 (August 25), opera lovers will be able to enjoy the most magnificent and popular operatic thriller of all time – „Tosca” by Giacomo Puccini. The role of the Roman diva is a signature one for Sonya Yoncheva, with which she has conquered all the most prestigious stages worldwide: from her debut in the role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 2018, through the Arena di Verona, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, the Rome Opera, the Berlin State Opera, Baden-Baden, Gstaad, all the way to Japan and many other stages, in productions broadcast on television and in cinemas around the world. For critics, Sonya Yoncheva is the definitive Tosca of the 21st century, while Jonas Kaufmann is the most passionate, technically refined and compelling Cavaradossi, always greeted with unceasing applause and overwhelming enthusiasm from audiences in his portrayal of the painter-revolutionary. The two performed Tosca to great success at the Zurich Opera last autumn; they have also shared the stage in Andrea Chénier at La Scala in Milan, in a concert marking the 100th anniversary of the Arena di Verona Opera Festival, while Sonya Yoncheva also took part in an album by the German tenor featuring love arias and duets from Puccini.
“After performing Tosca all over the world, I decided to place the culmination of this kind of global journey in the role of the temperamental and religious prima donna, devoted to art and love, precisely before my Bulgarian audience and under the dome of our largest cathedral-monument,” emphasized Sonya Yoncheva.
„Tosca” is the first opera of the 20th century (with its world premiere in 1900), and its themes of power, corruption, passion, revolution, crime and redemption sound particularly relevant today. Experiencing Puccini’s opera is an invitation to reflect on the world around us through the cathartic power of art and love. In the role of the iconic villain Baron Scarpia, the Bulgarian audience will have the unique opportunity to see one of the most prominent stars of the international stage – Russian baritone Igor Golovatenko, with whom Sonya Yoncheva performed in 2025 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in „The Queen of Spades” and „Andrea Chénier”. He is regarded by critics as a true discovery and a phenomenon among baritones.
About Sonya Yoncheva: Over the past two decades, Yoncheva’s talent has unequivocally conquered the world’s greatest opera stages: the Metropolitan Opera in New York, La Scala in Milan, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London, the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, the Palais Garnier in Paris, the Arena di Verona and many others. Her portrayals of characters such as Poppea, Violetta, Mimì, Desdemona, Manon and Iolanta have been met with universal acclaim. Gradually, her range has expanded to encompass highly dramatic roles such as Medea, Norma, Fedora, Tosca and Madama Butterfly, establishing her as one of the most compelling artists of the new century. Sonya Yoncheva’s extensive repertoire includes gems from the Baroque era as well as works by Mozart, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Giordano, Bellini, Puccini and others. Her central roles now exceed 50. Acclaimed for her exceptionally beautiful voice and striking stage presence, she is equally convincing on both the operatic and concert stage. Her recitals in Paris, Dresden, Baden-Baden, Munich, Barcelona, Tokyo, Vienna, Buenos Aires, Athens, Mexico City and beyond have all been met with great success. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including Operalia, ECHO Klassik, Medici TV and others. Bulgarian National Radio has honored her as an Ambassador of Bulgarian Culture Abroad, while the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture has awarded her its highest distinction, the “Golden Age” award, and the French Republic has bestowed upon her the title of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters.
About Jonas Kaufmann: Described by The Telegraph as “the greatest tenor in the world,” Kaufmann has performed more than 70 roles in the most prestigious opera houses across the globe. The New York Times has praised him as a singer with “crystal-clear high notes and a blend of masculinity and tenderness,” while also highlighting his “refined musicality.” Beyond his brilliant vocal technique, his performances are highly valued for their dramatic intensity: “He embodies every role with such dedication that it makes the audience feel as if it were the last time he will ever perform it” (Télérama). One of the leading interpreters of the classical song repertoire today, Kaufmann is also in high demand as a concert performer. His performances and recordings have earned him numerous distinctions, including eleven Opus Klassik awards, as well as “Singer of the Year” titles from leading classical music publications such as Opernwelt, Diapason and Musical America. Awarded the title of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Ministry of Culture, the German tenor has also received many other prestigious honors, including the title of Kammersänger in both Germany and Austria.
The Sofia Opera will take part in the “Gala in Sofia” 2026 festival. The ensembles of the largest, most authoritative and longest-established national cultural institution for classical music and opera are the most fitting partner for such large-scale and prestigious productions. The conductor of „Tosca” with Sonya Yoncheva and Jonas Kaufmann will be Prof. Grigor Palikarov – one of the most respected and successful Bulgarian musical leaders and educators in Bulgaria and abroad. The Children’s Choir “Smiling Stars” of the private primary school “Stremezh,” conducted by Maya Vasileva, will also participate in the event.
The organizer of “Gala in Sofia” 2026 is Sonya Yoncheva’s production company SY11 Events, which also stands behind “Gala in Sofia” 2021 and 2025, as well as numerous other cultural projects in Bulgaria and abroad. In 2026, “Gala in Sofia” celebrates five years since its first edition and will return in its most impressive format to date, expecting 20,000 attendees across the two festival evenings, along with more than 100 musicians, singers and soloists on stage.
The exclusive television partner of the festival is Nova Broadcasting Group. The exclusive radio partner is BG Radio. Media partners include the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), „Bulgarian Artist” magazine, Radio 1, the Bulgaria Wants You platform and others.
Corporate partners include United Bulgarian Bank (UBB), European Roads, SIAD, Confindustria Bulgaria, Mapei, Unique Estates and InterContinental Hotel.
The event is held with the institutional support of Sofia Municipality, Oborishte District and the Bulgarian Patriarchate. Tickets are available via Kupibileti.bg.
