16 october 2026 "The Gypsy Princess" Will Shine Once Again on the Opera st

Following a series of successful performances of one of the world’s most popular operettas—*The Csárdás Princess* (*Die Csárdásfürstin*)—staged at the State Opera – Burgas, the city’s Summer Theatre, as well as in Haskovo, Plovdiv, and Pazardzhik, the production returns to the stage of the State Opera – Burgas on October 20. This captivating and stirring staging is directed by Prof. Dr. Alexander Tekeliev.

Tuesday evening will be defined by aristocratic splendor and magnificence, featuring this beloved operetta by Emmerich Kálmán, conducted by the masterful Ivan Kozhuharov. *The Csárdás Princess* engages the senses completely—with its spirited music, fast-paced plot, superb direction, beautiful sets and costumes, and, above all, a moving love story that remains timeless. The performance is a true feast for the senses—a dazzling blend of music, set design, costumes, and choreography, brought to life by masterful, inspired performances and a seamless integration of all its elements. The production by Prof. Dr. Alexander Tekeliev—presented on the Burgas stage for the eleventh time—has reached a state of mature refinement. It retains its original spontaneity and the wonderful sense of humor woven into the text and the interactions between the characters. The performers approach Kálmán’s famous operetta with evident delight, bringing something fresh and unique to every performance. The evening of October 20th promises to be a true celebration: a captivating story, superb performances by the soloists, and a score brimming with life-affirming messages—delivered with flair and professionalism by the orchestra under the impeccable direction of Ivan Kozhuharov. Kozhuharov consistently infuses the score with an enviable energy that proves infectious, captivating the singers, the musicians, and the audience alike, ensuring a truly wonderful experience for all. This distinguished conductor wields a baton that masterfully stirs emotions and ignites passion. He is an Honorary Citizen of Burgas; in September 2025, he celebrated his 75th birthday, and in May of this year, he was awarded a Certificate and the "St. Nicholas the Wonderworker" plaque by the Mayor of the Municipality of Burgas, Dimitar Nikolov, in recognition of his overall contribution to the city's cultural life and his creation of memorable productions under his baton. Under his direction, the orchestra musicians—with Vanya Zlateva serving as concertmaster—achieve an exceptional organic quality in their performance, infused with a powerful emotional charge.

On Tuesday, the stage will feature wonderful artists who will not merely perform, but will truly live through the events unfolding on stage. The soloists will be dazzling, charming, captivating, and intensely emotional: the wonderful mezzo-soprano Yoana Kadiyska as a sweeping Silva; the superb guest artist Penyo Pirozov—a soloist at the Stefan Makedonski National Musical Theatre—as an Edwin who moves the audience to tears; the baritone Yordan Hristozov, gifted with a wonderful sense of humor, who is hilarious as Boni—Silva’s fiancé, yet in love with Stasi; the striking mezzo-soprano Maria Yurkovskaya, charming as Stasi; the charismatic bass Diman Panchev, inimitable as Feri Bácsi; the tenor Miroslav Dimitrov, iconic as the valet Mishka; the delightful mezzo-soprano Irina Dobrovolska, dignified as Countess Cecilia; the tenor Milen Dinolov, artistic and colorful as the Notary Kish; the bass Petar Tiholov, memorable in the character role of the Prince; and the bass Emil Peychev, commanding as the General.

The chorus, under the direction of conductor Alexander Chepanov, will provide the rich, grand-scale sound required for the ensemble scenes—moments that prove pivotal to the unfolding of the plot. All the performers and musicians, along with the behind-the-scenes technical team—who craft a truly impressive stage environment—will work in remarkable harmony to deliver a dazzling, lavish spectacle. The production features innovative design solutions and multimedia elements that are skillfully woven into the set, perfectly complementing the scenery.

The set design for *The Csárdás Princess*—the work of renowned master of stage décor Ivan Tokadzhiev—is breathtaking, representing a masterful fusion of classic theatrical staging and the capabilities of multimedia effects. Yana Dvoretska’s costumes are perfectly aligned with the overall aesthetic splendor, from their color palettes and stylistic choices to their exquisitely crafted details. Marina Zmeeva-Markova’s choreography captures the essence of a glamorous cabaret show, adhering to all the classic conventions of the operetta genre. Lina Peeva serves as the assistant director, while Iliana Todorova is the répétiteur.

The seamless integration of all elements of the production—featuring outstanding performances by the soloists, musicians, chorus, and ballet ensemble—will come together to create a lavish, thrilling, and aesthetically refined spectacle. On October 20, the stage will once again overflow with musical splendor, high spirits, champagne, and infectious laughter in *The Csárdás Princess* (*Tsariṭsata na chardasha*).

This performance is part of a series of events through which the Burgas cultural institution contributes to the long-term program supporting Burgas’s bid to become a European Capital of Culture in 2032.

Tickets for *The Csárdás Princess* are available at the Opera box office, the "Chasovnika" (The Clock) Ticket Center, as well as via Grabo.bg and Eventim.