GIANNI SCHICCHI OPENED THE 54TH FESTIVAL OF THE OPERA AND BALLET ARTS IN STARA ZAGORA

22.11.2024 https://dolap.bg/
Over 1000 artists will show their talents and art.

On the Day of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of the Christian Family /21 November 2024/, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the first out-of-the-capital opera in Bulgaria, for the 54th time began the Festival of the Opera and Ballet Arts /FOBA/.
The long time expected event was opened by the Deputy Mayor of the Stara Zagora Municipality Milena Zheleva, the director of the Stara Zagora State Opera Ognyan Draganov and the director of the ballet troupe, chief artistic director and brilliant choreographer Silviya Tomova.

“For us, it is particular happiness at the end of November to open something, which is a particular event for the Bulgarian opera and ballet culture – said Mr. Draganov. For 54th time, in our Theater, the curtain rises for the Festival of the Opera and Ballet Arts. Due to the Stara Zagora Municipality and the Ministry of Culture this festival has existed for more than half a century. It gives direction in this labyrinth of musical events to which we are all exposed – to our real, beloved opera and ballet arts. For 10 days you will be able to follow 8 events – 4 operas, 2 ballets and 3 Bulgarian titles.

Beside being a direction, FOBA is also a responsibility of all of us for what we have to convey to the future. And the future is youth. This is why tonight you will see young people on the stage, who carry the direction of our art.”
“Days await us full of wonderful experiences and an exceptionally strong program. I thank all the team who stands behind the organization of the Festival. Believe me it is not easy at all. It starts several years before this evening so that it can have a high quality, emotion, for you to be able to enjoy all the productions, concerts and accompanying events on these Festival days –said Milena Zheleva. The Stara Zagora Municipality has always supported and will continue supporting the Festival. I wish a successful journey to all participants and those present at FOBA.”

Milena Zheleva made a small, but very beautiful diversion with the words: “Several months ago the director of our Opera Mr. Draganov marked his anniversary. On behalf of Mayor Zhivko Todorov, personally from me and I hope on behalf of the whole cultural society, we present him with this bronze statuette “Orpheus”, made by the talented sculptor Vanyo Kolev. This is a small gesture as a token of gratitude for everything you do for the Opera and for our city.”

Pleasantly surprised, Mr. Draganov thanked for the attention to the Municipality and to the audience, thanks to which and to which are directed the efforts “of our, of your Opera. Each one of us, carries a particle in our genetic code of this atmosphere – of our Stara Zagora Opera.”

“For the 8th time as a director of the Ballet I participate in the organization of the Festival of the Opera and Ballet Arts, and before that over 10 times I danced on the Festival stage, said Silviya Tomova. For me it is an honor! I wish a good journey to all colleagues! I wish a good journey to the opening of the Festival with an incredible spectacle, with a world premiere of the director Michal Znaniecki and his team, to the Choir, Ballet, Orchestra and all who create the opening and the holding of the Festival.”

Congratulatory addresses and flowers for the opening of the Festival were sent by the Minister of Culture Nayden Todorov, the Regional Governor of the region of Stara Zagora Metodi Markov, the public intermediary of Stara Zagora Ivanka Sotirova, the director of the Sofia Opera and Ballet Acad. Prof. Plamen Kartalov and by the Plovdiv State Opera.

Among the most sincere words and high assessment was the Congratulatory address from the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev:
“Dear Mr Draganov, dear artists, musicians and creators, dear participants and guests, for us it is a real pleasure to congratulate you on the official opening of the 54th edition of the Festival of the Opera and Ballet Arts – Stara Zagora.
We express our sincere gratitude to the organizers and to all of you who unflinchingly continue this tradition and present to the audience a rich program of opera masterpieces and ballet gracefulness.
During the next two weeks the art both of Bulgarian and international creators, and of remarkable young talents, will meet the exaltation of the admirers and transcend them in a world of harmony and elation.
The deep essence of the opera and ballet arts is to reveal something in each note, instrument, performance and dance. Namely, the Festival in Stara Zagora is one of the established events on the Bulgarian land, which remind of the meaning, beauty and inspiration contained in the native and European cultural heritage.
We appreciate the great progress of your exceptional cultural institute – the Stara Zagora State Opera, playing a leading role in the contemporary development and popularity of the Bulgarian opera and ballet.
We thank the whole team for the invaluable exciting experiences, with which you endow us – your admirers!
We wish to all of you health, fiery inspiration and continuous success!
A good journey to the 54th Festival of the Opera and Ballet Arts!
Rumen Padev – President of the Republic of Bulgaria.”

It might sound immodest, but I join the music connoisseurs. I have attended all the 53 FOBAs, almost all the premieres and performances of our and guest-performing artists through the years, almost all the concerts and accompanying events. I am exceptionally impressed by the premiere of “Gianni Schicchi” and “Le villi” / “The Forest Fairies” with which the Festival was closed, dedicated to “100 Years without Puccini”. I guarantee that the Stara Zagora Stage has not known such original and effective directors’, scenographers’ and choreographers’ decisions. Compliments and respect for the talent of the production team – director Michal Znaniecki, scenography – Luigi Scoglio, costumes – Ana Ramos Aguayo, choreography – Silviya Tomova, choirmaster Mladen Stanev and the magic baton of conductor Vladimir Kiradzhiev.

Compliments to the soloists in the premiere spectacles of the opera “Gianni Schicchi” in the leading role of Gianni Schicchi Kiril Manolov /21 November/ and Dobromir Momekov /22 November/, Lauretta – on 21 November Emiliya Terzieva and on 22 November Simona Kodeva, Rinuccio in both spectacles – Stoyan Buyukliev, ZitaTereza Brakalova /21 November, Dobrinka Koynova – on 22 November, Nella – Anastasiya Altuhova /21 November/, Olena Arbuzova /22 November/, Marco – Ivan Kabamitov /21 November/, Valeri Turmanov /22 November/. In the rest of the roles participate the soloists Benedict Shostok /Simone/, Ivaylo Yovchev /Gherardo/, Ivona Ivanova /Ciesca/, Zhivko Dobrev /Betto/, Bogomil Rusinov, Kostadin Yakshev and others. The leading roles in “Le Villi”/”The Forest Fairies” are as follows: in the role of Guglielmo and Story-teller – Kiril Manolov /21 November/ and Dobromir Momekov /22 Nivember/, Anna – Tanya Ivanova on 21 November and Anna Ditri – on 22 November, Roberto – Domenico Menini on 21 November and Boris Taskov 0n 22 November. Ballet soloists: Carmen Demirtash, Marcello Molina, Romena Slavova, Ivaylo Yanev. Participants: Orchestra, Choir, Ballet of the Stara Zagora State Opera.

“Gianni Schicchi”, with one or three exceptions is a gathering of characters full of greed, hypocrisy, swindling, disrespect, even to the deceased relative, and other negative human qualities. After long searching at last the will is found to disappoint all. As the only more favorable solution of the situation is to call for help the biggest combination-maker and profit-maker Gianni Schicchi. The swindler takes the situation in his control, takes the place of the deceased and makes a new will in front of the notary, but above all in his favor. All performers managed to develop typical characters /many of whom overlap with our reality at the highest levels/.

Exceptional presentation of the great Kiril Manolov. He drew the rest of the characters and the audience in his tempo rhythm and through the enormous “eye”, which separated the two worlds. We watched the human downfall, but also the pure love, which is still a ray of light on the ways that lead to Hell.

“Le Ville” is the first one-act opera of the young Giacomo Puccini. It was written for an opera-ballet. The libretto and the wonderful music take us to a magic world, which ultimately imposes justice. The plot is simple: The forester Guglielmo has invited guests and they celebrate the engagement of his daughter Anna to Roberto. The young boy has received a significant fortune and has to go to Mainz to take it. Anna is sad. Roberto is trying to comfort her, but Anna tells him that she was dreaming how he is dying. Guglielmo blesses Roberto and the youth departs. There follows an orchestra Intermezzo. Roberto has fallen in the nets of the Forest Fairies. He has forgotten Anna. But she is waiting for him. The summer passes, the autumn passes… During the winter she dies. And then an old legend is recalled: if a young girl dies of love, then the Forest Fairies will force the young man, who broke her heart, to dance until he himself dies.

Guglielmo blames Roberto for the death of his daughter and summons the Forest Fairies to take a revenge. Roberto who has lost his fortune after the meeting with the Forest Fairies is tortured by confession. There appears the apparition of Anna, who tells of her suffering before she died. Roberto asks for forgiveness, but the Forest Fairies start singing, and Anna is with them. They draw Roberto with them too and play until he falls dead in their legs.

Part of the action takes place in the square, and part of it – in the forest, in the place where the Fairies live. Although it is a one-act opera, in it there is everything – wonderful music, choir, soloists, ballet. Two big arias – of Anna /Tanya Ivanova/ and of Roberto /Domenico Menini/, presented in the best possible way, and the ballet which again is at the top of its interpretations. The choreography of Silviya Tomova lets loose the emotions of the Forest Fairies and puts them in different conditions and actions. The legend becomes alive and breathless we follow the atonement of the one who betrays his promise.

The audience generously rewarded with applauses and cheers the new high aesthetic achievement of the Stara Zagora State Opera. This night is the second premiere with a new soloists cast. I envy those who will have the pleasure to enjoy it.

Rositsa Rancheva