23 july 2026 UN BALLO IN MASCHERA opens the "Opera of the Sanctuary" festival

The first event of the "Opera of the Sanctuary" festival, which this year is being realized for the seventh time by the State Opera - Burgas and the Municipality of Primorsko, will create an unusual "Masquerade Ball" amidst the natural decor of the Thracian historical relic Begliktash - on July 25 at 8:30 p.m.
The production of Verdi's opera, an innovative directorial decision by Prof. Dr. Alexander Tekeliev, will unfold its dramatic brilliance under the stars on the open stage of the mystical ancient Thracian megalithic complex. Under the masterfully balanced, precise baton of maestro Ivaylo Krinchev, an impressive spectacle will be created - with a first-class soloist ensemble, a dense and organic-sounding choir, and attractive ballet scenes, masterfully woven into the original mise-en-scène, combining the stone terrain with a specially built stage next to the centuries-old megaliths.
The name of the opera by Verdi contains current philosophical references.
The entire spectrum of emotions and feelings is explored in the masquerade ball of life – doubts, painful failures, treacherous tendencies, a whirlpool of passions, pure love marked by doom. Mysteries, conspiracies, internal struggles, redemption — all this, as a beautiful musical story about the power of feelings, will be presented by the magnificent soloists: the distinguished soprano Yoana Zhelezcheva, torn between love and debt Amelia, the wonderful tenor Valery Georgiev – in the role of the noble Ricardo, the renowned baritone Alexander Krunev – the ambitious Renato, the wonderful Maria-Tsvetkova Madzharova – in the characteristic role of Oscar – a male character, performed by a coloratura soprano, the wonderful mezzo-soprano Daniela Dyakova – the mysterious and awe-inspiring fortune teller Ulrika, the brilliant basses Delyan Slavov and Diman Panchev – as the conspirators Samuel and Tom, the baritone Andrey Yurkovsky – debut as Silvano, Georgi Bozveliev – in the role of the Chief Judge, Milen Dinolov – in the role of Amelia’s Servant.
All artists will create memorable images, in sync with the orchestra, choir and ballet. Stylish and imposing on the overall impact of the performance will be the adapted scenography of "Masked Ball", tailored to the specifics of the terrain.
At the foot of the Strandzha Mountain, near the picturesque Maslen Nos, for the seventh year this summer, a magical reality will be created among the historical relics, with the spirit and energy of the artists and musicians of the State Opera - Burgas, who present to the numerous international audience the sacred place where the ancient Thracians called upon the gods - for health, fertility and prosperity, performed sacred rites and sacrifices - in the name of higher goals, subordinate to their religious beliefs, in which they honored the Mother Goddess and all the deities who control the forces of nature and regulate human relationships.
And this year, the partnership with the Municipality of Primorsko – regarding logistics, organization and last but not least – hospitality, will be at the necessary level, so that visitors to the prestigious festival will receive unforgettable memories of the magical place and the encounter with art.
At the mystical place, considered an ancient Thracian observatory, on the open stage under the starry sky in the megalithic sanctuary of Begliktash, on Saturday evening, the story will be presented, telling about the sanctity of feelings, weaving their destructive power into a sad tale of love, jealousy and redemption. Those present will be moved by the dramatic relationships between the characters, reflecting their sinful desires, marked by the path to painful awareness – under the pressure of the dictates of public morality. The audience will witness the entanglement of fateful knots and the unraveling of human destinies. The concept of "mask" has acquired a new semantic saturation with a social sound in the last two and a half years. And art is the antithesis of the unpleasant facts of life, although it reflects and transforms them... The conductor of "Masquerade Ball" will be maestro Ivaylo Krinchev /guest/, conductor of the choir - Alexander Chepanov, concertmaster - Hristo Belchev, assistant directors: Lina Peeva and Petar Tiholov, accompanists: Raina Popova and Igor Kiriyanov. Stylish and imposing on the overall impact of the performance is the scenography of "Masquerade Ball", the work of Dimo ​​Kostadinov, but on the open stage under the stars of Begliktash, only elements of it will be used, and there will be surprises for the audience, the costumes of Lili Kostadinova are beautiful and tailored to the character of the characters, whose overall vision they complement. The plastic is by Grisha Roglev, and the subtitles, which help to fully perceive the action and are projected on specially built screens in front of the audience under the open sky of Begliktash, are the work of Srebrina Slavova.
The dramatic plot of "Masquerade Ball" flows into the construction of memorable images, which, in sync with the orchestra, choir, and ballet, will deliver not only aesthetic pleasure, but will also provoke reflection.
Tickets for the performance - at the box office of the Opera, the "Clock" box office, at the Information and Tourist Center in the town of Primorsko, as well as in the Grabo and Eventim networks,