site.bta10th Summer Opera Season in Veliko Tarnovo Opens with “The Marriage of Figaro” by Mozart

The 10th Summer Opera Season “Stage of the Ages” (June 27 – October 4) opened on the historical Tsarevets Hill in the medieval Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo on Friday evening. The opening event was Mozart’s opera The Marriage of Figaro, produced by the local Music and Drama Theatre.

The Tsarevets Fortress was transformed for the show into an elegant 18th-century Spanish castle. Soloists, the symphony orchestra, the choir and the ballet company of the Music and Drama Theatre contributed to the opera. Tenor Nikola Ivanov sang the part of Count Almaviva, and lyric soprano Teodora Petrova appeared as Countess Rosina Almaviva. Director Petko Bonev created an authentic atmosphere of aristocratic refinement and romantic intrigue. An innovative 3D mapping system, ornate rococo and baroque costumes and an elaborate set design transported the audience to a Seville palace.

After The Marriage of Figaro, the crowd was entertained to the town’s trademark Sound and Light Show.

Fifteen shows will be performed during the festival, including opera, ballet, symphonic music and musical. The festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary with performances at three venues in Veliko Tarnovo: Tsarevets Hill, the Outdoor Theatre and the Palace of Culture and Sports. Opera theatres from across Bulgaria will present selected works from their repertoires. 

The Summer Opera Season is organized by Veliko Tarnovo Municipality with the support of the Regional Museum of History and the local Tourist Information Centre. The festival has received the EFFE Label, Europe’s quality stamp for remarkable arts festivals.

The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) is a media partner of the festival. On Thursday, BTA signed an agreement with Veliko Tarnovo Municipality to popularize the municipal calendar of cultural events, among which “Stage of the Ages” holds an important place.