29 july 2025 "La Traviata" On the Stage of the Summer Theatre

One of the most performed opera titles – “La Traviata” by Giuseppe Verdi, will be the dazzling coda of the July program of the State Opera – Burgas and the fourth event of the Burgas Music Festival “Emil Chakarov”, held for the eighteenth time by the Burgas Cultural Institute and the Municipality of Burgas.

On July 31, Thursday, at 8:30 p.m., a whole galaxy of wonderful opera artists will appear on the stage of the Summer Theater – Burgas to tell the tragic story of a beautiful love, subject to pure heart impulses, but darkened by prejudice and the inexorability of fate - in Verdi’s masterpiece, under the baton of the distinguished Bulgarian master behind the conductor’s desk, who has built a worldwide career and recognition and has the energy and impressive experience to turn every event into a musical celebration – Ivan Kozhuharov, chief conductor of the State Opera – Burgas and honorary citizen of Burgas.

The performance of "La Traviata" will be the glamorous coda of the July program of the Burgas Opera. The tragic image of Violetta Valeri is played by the charming soprano Ilina Mihaylova /guest/, well known to the Burgas audience from her brilliant and emotionally gripping roles in "My Fair Lady", "The Barber of Seville", "Rigoletto", etc. Her participation in the performance of "La Traviata" in March 2022 was memorable, in partnership with the renowned Bulgarian tenor Mihail Mihaylov /guest/, who will perform in the role of Alfred Germont on July 31 on the stage of the Summer Theater. A tightly built image, a warm timbre, rich in overtones, brilliant vocal technique, and brilliantly presented dynamic nuances are characteristic of the young tenor.

The versatile artistic role of the magnificent singer Ilina Mihaylova will be presented in the emblematic soprano role, for the opera world, and for the wider audience, of Violetta Valeri, torn by dramatic passions with a tragic tinge. She was incredibly impressive in the role of Violetta Valery at the performance at the Burgas Opera in 2022. Torn apart by dramatic passions, tinged with tragic nuances, Violetta was the opera prima donna, beautiful, tender, and at the same time strong.

In the image of his father, Georges Germont, is another great Bulgarian opera singer, the baritone Alexander Krunev. The eminent baritone has extensive stage experience in roles of different styles and temperaments. In the image, the doyen Krunev is at his usual height, respectful and at the same time brilliantly presenting the metamorphoses in his soul that led to his transformation.

In the role of the friend from the social circles of Paris in the mid-19th century, Flora Bervois is the charismatic mezzo-soprano Joanna Kadiyska. She is bright, stylish, and builds a convincing image of a frivolous aristocrat who is not devoid of grace and empathy.

All the soloists, musicians from the orchestra, artists from the choir, and the ballet will be brilliant and fit into the overall picture of the exciting performance. Stefka Hristozova will play the role of Violetta Valery's faithful maid, Anina; bass Kostadin Mechkov will be in the role of Baron Dufault; baritone Andrei Yurkovsky - Marquis d'Aubigny, Milen Dinolov - Viscount Gaston de Letorier; Diman Panchev - Doctor Grenville; Miroslav Dimitrov - Joseph; and Nikolay Nikolov - Flora's Servant.

The conductor of the choir, who is assigned an important role in the overall development of the plot action, is Alexander Chepanov, concertmaster is Hristo Belchev. The attractive choreography, which fits seamlessly into the spectrum of colors and emotions in the performance, is the work of Galina Kalcheva, assistant director of the production is Lina Peeva, accompanist - Raina Popova, the ballet troupe's rehearser is Marina Zmeeva-Markova.

The magnificent direction of "La Traviata" is by Prof. Dr. Alexander Tekeliev and combines original techniques and an unconventional approach to the construction of the images in the dramatic plot based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas, son. The scenography by Catalin Arbore /Romania/ is attractive and contains an allegorical charge, in which mirror images are used as a symbolism of spiritual metamorphoses. Arbore is also the author of the beautiful stage costumes of the production of "La Traviata".

Those attending the performance on Thursday will be enchanted and moved - thanks to the beautiful music, the inspired performers, the stylish scenography with metaphorical messages, and something that is beyond conventional description - enchantment, excitement, a touch of the sublime.

Under the baton of Ivan Kozhuharov, the tragic story of a beautiful love, subject to pure heart impulses, but darkened by prejudice and the inexorability of fate, will be told.