02 february 2026 "Samson and Delilah" Is The First Event Of The Year
The first event of the State Opera – Burgas for the year – after the annual vacation of the entire cast, is the opera “Samson and Delilah”. Admirers of the beautiful music of the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns and the dramatic biblical plot will have the opportunity to follow the epic ancient story on February 5, Thursday, at 7 p.m. on the stage of the Burgas Opera. The original scenography, relying on a minimalist style, and compensatory lavish costumes, the work of Catalin Arbore, Romania, the profound directing techniques of Prof. Dr. Alexander Tekeliev, the skillful conducting of Ivan Kozhuharov, the first-class artistic cast and the original thematically selected multimedia environment promise the spectacle to become a memorable performance. Those present will experience the drama of the Jew, gifted with divine power – Samson, and the beautiful Philistine woman, who uses her feminine charm to tempt, deceive, betray and destroy him – Delilah.
Under the precise baton of the great Bulgarian conductor with an impressive international career Ivan Kozhuharov, an honorary citizen of Burgas, the main roles on February 5 on the stage of the Opera will be performed by established opera artists who give the images psychological depth and achieve a remarkable emotional impact: the distinguished mezzo-soprano Daniela Dyakova, the soloist of the Sofia Opera and Ballet and the State Opera – Burgas – the tenor Kostadin Andreev /guest/, the baritone Alexander Krunev, the basses Delyan Slavov and Diman Panchev, and others. "Samson and Delilah" is a rarely performed title worldwide, precisely because of its exceptional orchestral difficulty, polyphonic sound of the choir, as well as arias and duets, which are aerobatics in the art of opera. The title, which is distinguished by a complex score, but also exceptional melodiousness, is performed very rarely in Bulgaria and the Burgas Opera is one of the few theaters that maintains in its repertoire the title, which is an honor for the portfolio of every major world opera theater. The complex polyphonic score of Camille Saint-Saëns will be presented by the musicians of the orchestra with concertmaster Hristo Belchev in all its magical and affecting beauty, with precisely constructed dynamics, achieving a strong emotional impact.
The plot, based on biblical tales from the Old Testament, contains not only an intriguing storyline, but also deep moral dilemmas, presented in an admirable way through the means of musical and scenic art, brilliantly argued through the complex polyphonic score of Camille Saint-Saëns. A dramatic dynamic line recreates the contradictory psychological states of the characters. The multimedia, which caused a sensation among the megalithic stone blocks of Begliktash in 2023, at the official opening of the "Opera of the Sanctuary" festival, will be presented for the third time indoors - in the Opera Hall, after the performance in April 2024 and April 2025.
The epic opera "Samson and Delilah" was presented with exceptional success in July 2025 - as the first event of the grandiose "Opera of the Sanctuary" festival - on the stage under the starry dome of Begliktash, Primorsko Municipality. On February 9 of this year, the Burgas Opera hosted the title performance on the stage of the Model National Community Center "Zarya-1858".
The visual effects are also impressive, which ideologically fit into the overall concept of the large-scale musical stage project. The current 3D mapping and multimedia in the hall /work of Nikola Peshev/ will be used – for a complementary sensory perception of the messages embedded in the biblical plot. Prison bars, flames, visualization of the Temple of Dagon, intertwined snakes, personifying the creeping and destroying moral foundations Evil – in its pure form, a remarkable effect will be achieved, in sync with the captivating music and dignified performance of all artists and musicians. The audience will have the privilege of symbolically attending a sacred ritual.
The production of “Samson and Delilah” directed by Prof. Dr. Alexander Tekeliev, contains originally presented analogies with universal human themes, references to modernity and symbolism, in symbolic combination with the lavish costumes and props, meticulously crafted to the smallest detail. The emphasis on red and black, the contrast between the fiery principle and death, as well as the thin line between them – on the border of life and non-existence, the fragility of the human being, powerless before the commands and decisions of the gods – all this is skillfully conveyed through implicitly laid symbolic codes.
Under the inspired baton of the chief conductor of the Burgas Opera Ivan Kozhuharov, remarkable soloists will take on the main roles on February 5, each of whom is not only a bright individuality, but also in excellent artistic symbiosis with all the other performers. The image of Dalila will be embodied by the renowned mezzo-soprano Daniela Dyakova, who is impeccable in every stage performance - with dignity, taste, and the exceptional impact of her voice. The accent in the opera title is one of the most beautiful melodies - Dalila's Aria /“Mon cœur s’ouvre a ta voix”/ from Act II, which is considered one of the most impactful in opera art. In her individual reading, Dyakova is characterized by a deep examination of the complex image and an impressive, professionally presented performance. The remarkable Bulgarian mezzo-soprano Daniela Dyakova is expected to be once again sweeping – as a suggestion and bright presence, as a perfectly mastered voice, a rich timbre, fully consistent with the character of the heroine, through which she gives different nuances of feelings and dominates the audience – with her hypnotic radiance.
The soloist of the Sofia Opera and Ballet Kostadin Andreev, winner of last year’s Burgas Municipality “Emil Chakarov” award – for exceptionally high achievements in the field of opera art and contribution to the cultural life of Burgas, is expected to be at the usual height of performance in the image of Samson, which befits a singer of his class – giving himself away, inspiring both respect, sympathy, and pain due to his personal tragedy, intertwined with the fate of his people, and as brilliantly presented vocal parts, duets and ensembles, through which he expresses his rich individuality as an artist.
The role of the High Priest of Dagon /the god of the Philistines who conquered the Jewish people/ will be played by the baritone with a rich stage career – Alexander Krunev, who will convincingly give the characteristic harshness of the image, the personification of Evil. The great Bulgarian baritone will once again be dignified, although inspiring fear and horror – as a symbol of the insidious evil intentions, materialized in a treacherous plan, and will unleash the full power of his vocal and artistic capacity.
The other soloists will also have a bright presence. In the image of Abimelech, the satrap of Gaza, will be the bass Delyan Slavov. In the role of the Old Jew will be Diman Panchev, bass, as the Messenger of the Philistines will be the tenor Georgi Bozveliev, First Philistine – Milen Dinolov, tenor, Second Philistine – Ivan Grozev, bass.
Merging with the overall perception of the biblical story and in sync with the general impression of a spectacle of the highest level will be the other soloists, who will skillfully enter the dramatic context and will be as authentic as possible on stage: Delyan Slavov, bass – in the role of the evil warrior Abimelich, bass Diman Panchev – as the Old Jew, initiating Samson into the mystery of the lineage, which the one gifted with extraordinary strength must protect; Georgi Bozveliev – as the Messenger of the Philistines, Milen Dinolov and Ivan Grozev – as the First and Second Philistines.
The choir, conducted by Alexander Chepanov, will be impressive – both in terms of presence in the key scenes of the plot, and in terms of beautiful sound – both in the quietest nuances of the dynamics, and in the breathtaking bravura moments.
The ballet troupe will present the full beauty of the two key dances in the opera – the bewitchment of Samson by the cunning Delilah, and the famous bacchanalia, which was the emotional and meaningful accent of the performance.
Each of the soloists is in amazing musical, artistic and psychological synchrony with the other characters of the tragic story, which, despite the fact that it is from distant historical times, sounds relevant for every stage of human civilization.
Impressive – both in terms of musical complexity, and in terms of visualization of the plot, and in terms of splendor, are the mass choral and ballet scenes, recreated through the masterful choreography of Galina Kalcheva. The conductor of the choral troupe is Alexander Chepanov, the rehearsor of the ballet troupe is Marina Zmeeva-Markova. The concertmaster is Hristo Belchev, assistant directors: Lina Peeva and Petar Tiholov. The work is performed in the original – in French, with subtitles in Bulgarian, by Srebrina Slavova.
On the stage of the Burgas Opera on February 5 at 7 p.m., a powerful spectacle will be created - as a charge, and professionally presented - according to all the canons of musical and stage art. The biblical legend about the destructive power of passion, ancestral commandments and Divine enlightenment will be told in an exciting way. The beautiful voices of the soloists and choir, accompanied by beautiful, soulful music, will merge into an emotional-meaningful symbiosis, exalting the idea of love, betrayal, redemption, sacrifice in the name of a higher goal. The nuances in the musical text will be conveyed by the magnificent performers – with thought, feeling, depth, with the corresponding emotional attitude: lyricism, awe, longing, tearing doubts – between the call of the heart and duty to family and homeland, painful awareness, dramatic return, apotheosis of inner strength, expressed also through God's protection...
The second event of the Burgas Opera for the month is intended for the children's audience – on February 7 at 11 am in the Opera hall is the performance of the children's opera by Alexander Yosifov directed by Prof. Dr. Aleksnadar Tekeliev "Max and Moritz".
Tickets for "Samson and Delilah" - at the Opera box office, "Chasovnika" box office /, as well as in the Grabo networks Tickets: at the Opera box office, "Chasovnika" box office, as well as in the Grabo networks - https://grabo.bg/burgas/opera-v-burgas-09tmfq9?fbclid=IwY2xjawPtruZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeLuW3whBjV-2cVrrkxTpDxAEmMpyM53zh4_m3-1fbp08C1d_JKSKmFZVbZTs_aem_Qw_SKp43rWs3-_G90qRArA
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