03 september 2026 The Burgas Music Festival Concluded with "Angels and Demons."

The grand finale of the 2026 "Emil Chakarov" Burgas Music Festival—successfully organized for the nineteenth consecutive year by the Municipality of Burgas and the Burgas State Opera—took place last night at the Burgas Summer Theater with the opera gala *Angels and Demons*, conducted by Maestro Ivaylo Krinchev.
Prior to the musical event, the award named after the world-renowned conductor and Burgas native, Emil Chakarov, was presented. The prize was deservedly awarded to soprano Joana Zhelezcheva, a soloist with the Burgas Opera for 18 years. This year, the celebrated soprano also marks her 25th anniversary on stage.
The official ceremony was attended by Diana Savateva, Deputy Mayor of Burgas Municipality (responsible for Culture and Religious Affairs), and Prof. Dr. Alexander Tekeliev, Director of the Burgas State Opera.
Diana Savateva presented Joana Zhelezcheva with the "Emil Chakarov" statuette, a certificate, and flowers on behalf of Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov, expressing her delight that the award is remaining in Burgas this year. She added that she counts on the support and cooperation of the Burgas Opera for the upcoming challenges in the city's cultural life—specifically regarding hosting Eurovision next year and the city's bid to become the European Capital of Culture in 2032.
Aleksandar Tekeliev affirmed the Opera team's readiness to serve as a reliable partner to the Municipality of Burgas in executing the cultural program linked to this major global event, offering not only resources and ideas but also the courage to dream—for it is through the noble pursuit of dreams that ambitious goals are most surely achieved.
He congratulated Yoana Zhelezcheva—a member of the extended Burgas Opera family—on her well-deserved award, noting that she possesses "one of the most beautiful voices" he has ever heard.
For her part, Yoana Zhelezcheva expressed her gratitude to the Burgas Municipality team, the leadership of the State Opera – Burgas, and Prof. Tekeliev personally for the trust and honor shown to her; she added that she had grown as an artist on the stage of the Burgas Opera and would continue to maintain a creative connection with the institution in the future.
Following the official awards ceremony, the large audience had the opportunity to witness the "Angels and Demons" opera gala—a stylishly presented, conceptually conceived, and superbly executed event (in terms of performance, sound, and overall sensory experience) where the archetypal figures of Good and Evil came to life through music, revealing their interconnection, antagonism, and struggle for supremacy. Kudos to the soloists—soprano Yoana Zhelezcheva, baritone Marijan Jovanoski (Mariani Giovanni), and guest bass Deyan Vatchkov—who, by all accounts, delivered a world-class performance and unequivocally demonstrated their caliber.

Worthy partners in creating this evening's musical and theatrical splendor—which captivated the minds and senses of the audience—were the excellent musicians of the Burgas State Opera Orchestra, led by concertmasters Vanya Zlateva and Hristo Belchev, as well as the wonderful artists of the choir, conducted by Alexander Chepanov.
The opera gala was hosted by the stylish and charming Kalina Popova, who introduced each piece by highlighting its defining characteristics, concept, and philosophy.
The event was honored with a traditional basket of flowers presented on behalf of Mr. Dimitar Nikolov, Mayor of Burgas Municipality.
Floral tributes, provided by the DIANA Flower Boutique, were presented to the soloists and the conductor on behalf of the Burgas State Opera.
A glimpse of the applause following the opera gala:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HuZeQajxP/

Interview with Yoana Zhelezcheva by Stefka Bakardjieva (BNR Burgas):
https://bnrnews.bg/…/sopranoto-yoana-zhelezcheva-nagradata…
Stay tuned for more details about the "Angels and Demons" opera gala on the official Burgas State Opera website: https://operabourgas.com/bg/media
! September 3, 2026, 8:00 PM, Burgas Summer Theatre
"EMIL CHAKAROV" BURGAS MUSIC FESTIVAL '26
Burgas Municipality and Burgas State Opera present
"ANGELS AND DEMONS"
Opera Gala
Conductor: Ivaylo Krinchev (Guest)
Choir Master: Aleksandar Chepanov
Soloists:
Yoana Zhelezcheva – Soprano
Maryan Jovanoski – Baritone
Deyan Vachkov – Bass (Guest)
Choir and Orchestra of Burgas State Opera
Program: Arias, duets, and choral pieces from operas by Verdi, Gounod, Boito, and Puccini
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