100 YEARS AFTER PUCCINI

Tanya Ivanova and Jose Curra

With “La boheme”, “Turandot”, “Tosca”, “Madama Butterfly” and the premiere of “Le Villi” /Forest Girls/ and “Gianni Schicchi”

In 2024 the opera world marks 100 years since its parting with Giacomo Puccini. The Stara Zagora Opera joins the world events dedicated to the immortal creative work of the great Italian composer under the motto “100 Years After Puccini”. As an introduction to the forthcoming Puccini program is the chamber concert entitled “Love for Puccini” in the cycle “Music Without Borders”. The soprano Desi Stefanova and the pianist Denitsa Petrova will present on 11 June at 19.00 on the stage of the Stara Zagora Opera part of the magnificent song work of Puccini, which is recognizable in many of the loved arias in his operas. The Romantic song evening is complemented by the poetry of Elena Muri.

On 13 June at 19.00 on the stage of the Stara Zagora Opera will be presented the spectacle of the opera “La boheme”. Created in 2017 by an inspired creative team: director Ognyan Draganov, Romanian artist Katalin Ionescu-Arbore and the costume designer Tsvetanka Petkova Stoynova, the spectacle for already 8 years has enjoyed the interest of the audience and decorates the poster of the Stara Zagora Opera. In the premiere cast were the brilliant Besa Llugiqi in the role of Mimi and the Ukrainian tenor Mykhailo Malafii – as Rodolfo. The Bulgarian National Television recorded the spectacle when the Stara Zagora Opera guest-performed on the stage of the National Theater “Ivan Vazov” in 2018 with participation of young performers. On 13 June, 8 years later, Besa Llugiqi and Mikhailo Malafii again will be partners in “La boheme” on the stage of the Stara Zagora Opera in the company of Valeri Turmanov /in the role of Marcello/, Simona Kodeva /Musetta/, Ivaylo Dzurov /Colline/, Ivan Kabamitov /Schaunard/, Aleksandar Marulev /as Benoit and Alcindoro/. Participants are also Choir, Orchestra and children from the Children’s and Adolescents’ Studio for Opera and Ballet of the Stara Zagora State Opera. The spectacle will be conducted by the Croatian conductor Ivo Lipanovic.

The last opera by Giacomo Puccini “Turandot” will bring joy to the admirers of the great Maestro on June at 19.00. The hallmark production – opera with puppets, which featured the Bulgarian musical-scenic tradition with innovative multi-genre realization, was created in 2018 on the stage of the Stara Zagora Opera. In cooperation with the Stara Zagora State Puppet Theater, the Stara Zagora Opera enriched its poster with an extraordinary spectacle, which tells the familiar fairy tale about the cruel Chinese princess with participation of the new opera character – the puppet. Profusive, impressive and attractive spectacle, which turned into one of the most expected events in the opera calendar of Bulgaria. The director of the production is Ognyan Draganov, décor and costume designer is Catalin Ionescu- Arbore in a team with the artists – puppet scenographers Silva Bachvarova and Vasil Rokomanov. On 20 June in the role of Turandot the spectators will see the Serbian soprano Dragana Radakovic in the role of Calaf, the guest performer is the Italian tenor Dario di Vietri, the bass Yulian Konstantinov will be in the role of Calaf, and in the role of Liu will debut Gergana Georgieva. In the role of Altum – Milko Mihaylov, Ping, Pang and Pong will be respectively Teodor Petkov, Georgi Dinev and Ivaylo Yovchev, Ivan Kabamitov – Mandarin. The Participants are Orchestra, Choir and children from the Children’s and Adolescents’ Studio for Opera and Ballet of the Stara Zagora State Opera, actors from the Stara Zagora State Puppet Theater, representatives of the Proto-Bulgarian Survival School Baga-Tur. The spectacle is conducted by Grigor Palikarov.

“Tosca” will be the beginning of the opera summer in the open of the Stara Zagora Opera on 27 June, at 21.00 on the stage of the Antique Forum “Augusta Trayana”. The exciting story of Floria Tosca and her beloved – the painter Mario Cavaradossi will be revived under the conductor’s baton of the Romanian conductor Christian Sandu. In the open, the director Ognyan Draganov turns the intimate human drama into a monumental spectacle, which impresses with its vision in harmony with the captivating musical dramaturgy. In the role of Tosca the spectators will see the soprano Rusalina Mochukova, who does not hide her inspiration to interpret the magnificent character of a real opera Diva, such as her heroine is. The Italian tenor Emanuelle D’Aguanno will be Cavaradossi, and in the role of Scarpia – the guest-performer is the world renowned Bulgarian baritone Kiril Manolov. The other participants are Aleksandar Marulev /Angelotti/, Ivaylo Yovchev /Spoletta/, Ivan Kabamitov /Sacristan/, children from the Children’s and Adolescents’ Studio for Opera and Ballet of the Stara Zagora State Opera, representatives of the Proto-Bulgarian Survival School Baga-Tur. Choirmaster: Mladen Stanev, scenic adaptation Todor Demerov, costumes Denis Ivanov.

On 5 July, at 21.0 on the stage of the Antique Forum “Augusta Trayana” will shine the captivating with its moving story and incredible music the opera by Giacomo Puccini “Madama Butterfly”. The spectacle, which will be presented by the Stara Zagora Opera is a new version by the director Ognyan Draganov, adapted to the stage space in the open, the décor and the costumes are the work of the unforgettable artists Boris Stoynov and Tsvetanka Petkova-Stoynova, Choirmaster Mladen Stanev, the eminent dancer and choreographer Filip Milanov – pantomime. In the role of Cio-Cio-San for the first time before the Stara Zagora audience we will see the soprano Tamara Kalinkina, who had the chance to debut with great success in this role on the stage of the Opera Theater Vanemuine, Tartu, Estonia in February 2023. Tamara adores this role and impatiently waits for her next reincarnation in this role. In the role of Pinkerton her partner will be her fellow countryman and already a soloist of the Stara Zagora Opera Mykhailo Malafii, who has already had his success in this role on different prestigious European stages. They are joined by the Bulgarian talented baritone Yosif Slavov, who will be in the role of Sharpless. Tereza Brakalova – in the role of Suzuki, the bass Aleksandar Marulev will be Bonze, Ivaylo Yovchev – Goro. The spectacle will be conducted by the Chief Conductor of the Stara Zagora Opera Ivaylo Krinchev.
Participants: the Orchestra and Choir of the Stara Zagora State Opera

Yet another star spectacle of the opera “Tosca” expects its audience in August – on 23 August, at 21.00 again on the stage of the Antique Forum “Augusta Trayana” will be presented the beloved opera title from the treasury of the great Puccini. In the role of Floria Tosca the opera Prima Donna Floria Tosca will be Tanya Ivanova, and in the role of Mario Cavaradossi for the first time in Stara Zagora will be the great Argentinian tenor, composer and conductor Jose Curra. In the role of Baron Scarpia – Kiril Manolov. The spectacle will be conducted by Ivaylo Krinchev. Participants are also Orchestra, Choir, children from the Children’s and Adolescents’ Studio for Opera and Ballet of the Stara Zagora State Opera, representatives of the Proto-Bulgarian Survival School Baga-Tur.

PucciniThe final of “100 Years After Puccini” is in November, when on 21 and 22 November with the premieres of Puccini’s operas “Le Villi” /Forest Girls/ and “Gianni Schicchi” will be opened the 54th edition of the Festival of the Opera and Ballet Arts on the stage of the Stara Zagora Opera. The new productions will be realized by an exceptional international creative team: conductor Vladimir Kiradzhiev, the Polish world renowned c director Michal Znaniecki, the scenography is by the Italian artist Luigi Scoglio, the costumes are by Ana Ramos Aguayo from Spain, the choreography is by Silviya Tomova, choirmaster – Mladen Stanev. Participants: soloists, Orchestra, Choir, Ballet of the Stara Zagora State Opera.

Tickets on-line and at the box office of the Stara Zagora State Opera