The opera is in Plovdiv from June to September with OPERA OPEN 2024-Agro Plovdiv – 2024-03-11 15:01:51

OPERA OPEN 2024 of the Ancient Theater in Plovdiv marks the 70th anniversary of the creation of Opera Plovdiv with strong international content and diverse genres. The modern vision and high professional level of the performances with soloists, orchestra, choir and ballet of Opera Plovdiv combined with the unique features of the Ancient Theater attract more and more foreign audiences and develop international opera tourism.

The main highlight of the OPERA OPEN 2024 program is the grand opening with the Gala of the world-renowned opera diva Aida Garifullina. The soprano is a regular guest artist in the most prestigious opera houses and concert halls in the world.

The special edition of OPERA OPEN in 2024 includes two premiere productions with the participation of international artists – the opera “Carmen” by Bizet and the ballet “Romeo and Juliet” by Prokofiev.

After setting a record for the largest number of spectators at an opera performance at the Ancient Theater in 2015, “Carmen” returns to the ancient outdoor stage with a premiere production by director Ursula Horner. The fiery Serbian mezzo-soprano Ljubica Vranes, the Portuguese tenor with a successful career on the European stage Carlos Cardoso and the Polish baritone Daniel Miroslav, who participated in the prestigious opera festivals in Florence and Glyndebourne, England, have been invited to play the central roles.

The ballet troupe and the Orchestra of Opera Plovdiv are preparing the premiere of “Romeo and Juliet” by Prokofiev on July 12th and September 4th. The performance is staged by Valentina Turku and her team from Maribor Theater, Slovenia. The distinguished artist is the author of the choreography of over 130 ballets, opera and theater productions and is the winner of dozens of prestigious European awards. Her style, perfected in the school of the legendary Maurice Bejart, sets a new standard in the quality and expressiveness of contemporary classical ballet.

Opera Plovdiv will mark the 100th anniversary of Puccini’s death with “Turandot” featuring the tenor Khachatur Badalyan, applauded at the Arena Di Verona and on the stages of opera houses in Palermo, Catania, Cagliari, Venice, Warsaw, Vancouver and the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, etc. His partners are the soloists of Opera Plovdiv Tanya Ivanova and Evgenia Ralcheva.

After a 5-year absence, one of the most emblematic and audience-loved opera titles of the Ancient Theater – “Aida” returns with an upgraded scenographic atmosphere by video artist Petko Tanchev and choreography by Mariana Kruncheva on July 20th and 30th August.

Verdi fans will also enjoy the performance VIVA VERDI with selected scenes from the Italian composer’s most famous operas on July 3rd.

In August the program of OPERA OPEN 2024 is aimed at fans of operettas and musicals. Headlines on the program include Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar on August 21st and VIVA L’OPERETTA, VIVA L’OPERA with guest soloists from European operettas on August 24th.

In the year of Raina Kabaivanska, OPERA OPEN 2024 ends with a Gala in her honor on September 15 with the participation of the stars of her international master classes, who are already building successful careers.

By tradition, OPERA OPEN is part of the Festival Program of Plovdiv – European Capital of Culture 2019 and among the highlights of the cultural policy of the Plovdiv Municipality. Having turned into a recognizable cultural brand, OPERA OPEN puts the city of Plovdiv on the map of leading European open-air opera festivals.

„THE OPERA IS HERE!” is the slogan that unites the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of Opera Plovdiv and the festival OPERA OPEN through 2024 year. It’s the opera Here – in your city, in your country, in the hearts of the citizens. It’s here, to connect past and future with the fragile and evasive Now. Opera is here – to participate in the pulse of of the city.