An exceptional music event is expected on August 20 in Varna. Within the framework of the Opera at the Summer Theater Festival, for the first time in the history of Bulgaria’s opera theatre and the 78-year history of the Varna Opera, "Rusalka" by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák will be presented. The production team is headed by a Bulgarian conductor with successful European career - Pavel Baleff. The director is Srebrina Sokolova and the set designer is visual artist Petko Tanchev, winner of the "Icarus" award of the Union of Bulgarian Actors. The costume designer is Asya Stoimenova and choreographer is Nadya Dimokova.

In a special interview for Radio Bulgaria, conductor Pavel Baleff said that since the end of July he has been working intensively with the team of the Varna Opera:

"Everyone is very enthusiastic. The general opinion is that the music is incredibly beautiful. During the rehearsals of the orchestra, everyone showed great desire to work. This inspires me and gives me a good reason for optimism. It is nice when those involved show how much they enjoy what they are doing from the first moment."

Pavel Baleff has performed nearly all of Dvořák’s symphonies and has recorded fragments of the opera "Dimitrij" with the participation of Krassimira Stoyanova, but has only conducted "Rusalka" in its entirety. It was his first production as chief conductor at one of the most prestigious French theaters - Opéra de Limoges. Baleff told us more about his experience with Dvořák’s "Rusalka":

"During the Covid pandemic in 2021, the opera theatre in Limoges was the only one that continued to operate. We had permission to move around the streets after 6 p.m. All theaters in France were closed and were waiting for President Macron's decision - whether the audience would enter the hall or not. But we continued to work behind closed doors for four weeks and ultimately, after the decision was made not to open theaters, we had a plan ‘B’. Our director had invited the French television to make a film. A television crew came and recorded our production for a week. It was broadcast and today ‘Rusalka’ of the Opéra de Limoges can be found everywhere in the media space. It is a very good film and I am really proud of it."

The most excited about the premiere of "Rusalka" in Varna are the fans of the magnificent Krassimira Stoyanova, who will perform the title role on August 20. Among the opera elite, the Bulgarian star is known as one of the most successful performers of the part. After Stoyanova's debut as Rusalka in Zurich, critics called her "the ideal choice for the role".

Krassimira Stoyanova's partner in the role of the Prince will be Austrian tenor Gerard Schneider. The production also features Irina Zhekova, Bozhidar Bozhkilov, Mihaela Berova, Ilina Mihaylova, Zhana Kostova, Reinaldo Droz, Petar Naydenov, Velichka Minkova.

Author: Tsvetana Toncheva

Publication in English: Alexander Markov

Photos: Facebook / State Opera Varna, operavarna.com, franceinfo.fr