site.btaOpera Open 2026 to Feature Global Stars and Premieres

Global stars and premieres will feature in the programme of Opera Open 2026, the Cultural Department of the Plovdiv Municipality said on Monday. The festival is an emblem of the city's cultural life, the organizers noted.

Thanks to the Heritage Programme, the festival is not only preserved but continues to develop each year, meeting the highest European standards, Deputy Mayor for Culture, Archaeology and Tourism Plamen Panov said at a press conference at Plovdiv Municipality. The State Opera Plovdiv, Plovdiv Municipality and the Plovdiv 2019 Foundation presented highlights from the upcoming edition, which will take place from June 23 to September 9. 

The festival will open at the Ancient Theatre with a special gala featuring laureates of the first Thracian Awards for Classical Music. The initiative is led by world-renowned soprano Sonya Yoncheva, who serves as artistic director of the project through her company SY11 Events. She joined the press conference via a video message.

Plovdiv Opera Director Dian Chobanov presented the programme, which includes performances by mezzo-soprano Ekaterine Buachidze, winner of Operalia 2025, countertenor Jakub Jozef Orlinski, pianist Emanuil Ivanov, Venezuelan trumpeter Pacho Flores, prima ballerina Marta Petkova, internationally acclaimed composer Dobrinka Tabakova, Sofia Opera prima Gabriela Georgieva, and legendary Bulgarian opera star Anna Tomowa-Sintow, who will be honoured ahead of her 85th anniversary. The concert will feature the orchestra and choir of Plovdiv Opera under Chobanov’s baton, with special participation by Yoncheva.

Ivaylo Spasov from SY11 Events outlined Yoncheva's programme, which will include the world premiere of a musical work composed by Dobrinka Tabakova based on texts by Ivan Vazov.

The festival will also host Nadine Sierra in La Traviata. This autumn, she is set to open the season at La Scala with Verdi’s work.

Opera Open 2026 will feature two premieres. Verdi’s Nabucco will be staged in cooperation between Krakow Opera and Plovdiv Opera, while Rossini's Semiramide, a production of the Tyrolean Festival Erl, will be performed in Bulgaria for the first time with the Plovdiv Opera troupe. The production is directed by Gustav Kuhn, with mezzo-soprano Maria Radoeva and Argentine tenor Francisco Brito in the leading roles.

Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, directed by Boryana Sechanova, will be staged at the Ancient Theatre with soloists, choir, ballet and orchestra of Plovdiv Opera. The multimedia show "Vasko Vassilev: The Journey" returns to the programme after its international tour, with the virtuoso violinist performing alongside his musicians and the Plovdiv Opera orchestra.

The programme also includes Verdi’s Aida featuring Evgenia Ralcheva, Ivan Momirov and Kiril Manolov, as well as Carmen, starring internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Svetlina Stoyanova in her debut in the title role. The ballet programme features Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.

The festival's musical segment includes popular titles such as The Addams Family, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, and the concert "One Night at the Opera" featuring the music of Queen, performed by Bulgarian pop and rock artists.

Opera Open is part of the festival programme of Plovdiv - European Capital of Culture.