05 october 2026 The Burgas State Opera Opens the 2026/2027 Season with *Carmen*.

Under the baton of Ivan Kozhuharov—recipient of this year’s special award from the Municipality of Burgas for his overall contribution to the city’s cultural life—the audience will have the opportunity to experience the timeless story of *Carmen* by Georges Bizet. The performance takes place on Tuesday, October 6, at 7:00 PM in the State Opera – Burgas hall. It is a tale of sudden passion, rejection, emotional recovery, and the clash of two opposing worlds irresistibly drawn to one another, only to be destroyed by devastating emotions. This production of one of the most beloved operas will mark the opening of the Burgas Opera’s 2026/2027 season.
The leading roles will be performed by a cast of outstanding artists: guest artist Velichka Minkova—winner of the First Prize at the 3rd Stoyan Popov International Opera Competition (2025), who made a remarkable debut as Carmen on the Burgas stage this past March—alongside Valeriy Georgiev, Valeri Turmanov, Nona Krastnikova, Delyan Slavov, Yani Nikolov, Maria and Andrey Yurkovsky, guest artist Gabriela Yordanova, Yordan Hristozov, and others.
The dramatic plot of this globally renowned opera remains ever-relevant. Regardless of the era, people invariably harbor the same feelings and aspirations, and their relationships are grounded in universal human values ​​that transcend the passage of time. On October 6, Velichka Minkova—flawless vocally, with exquisitely crafted phrasing and deeply expressive recitatives—will bring to life the full-blooded character of the passionate Gypsy woman who places her inner and actual freedom above the constraints of commitment and societal norms. The talented mezzo-soprano will share the stage with the brilliant tenor Valeriy Georgiev in the role of Don José—a man torn by inner conflict, wavering between his overwhelming passion for Carmen and the dictates of society. He will masterfully navigate the vocal challenges of the role and the transformations his character undergoes: "bewitched" by Carmen’s irresistible charm, he rejects Micaëla’s pure love and deliberately plunges into a spiral of self-destruction. Charismatic baritone Valeri Turmanov will appear as the matador Escamillo—irresistible in both vocal power and stage presence—portraying a proud, self-assured, and handsome man who brooks no defeat, whether in the bullring or in life. The superb lyric-dramatic soprano Nona Krastnikova will embody the gentle, devoted Micaëla—a symbol of purity, compassion, and a readiness for self-sacrifice for the sake of her beloved Don José. The other soloists—each playing a pivotal role in the unfolding drama—will also be fully immersed in this captivating performance of the tragic tale. The commanding bass Delyan Slavov will take on the role of Captain Zuniga, who orders Don José to arrest Carmen and escort her to prison. The charming young soprano Gabriela Yordanova (guest artist) will appear as Frasquita, a friend of Carmen and member of the smuggling ring. The wonderful mezzo-soprano Maria Yurkovskaya will perform the role of Carmen’s friend Mercédès, while the excellent baritone Andrey Yurkovsky will portray the smuggler Dancaïre. The remarkable young tenor Yani Nikolov will take on the role of Remendado—another member of the mountain smuggling gang—and the talented baritone Yordan Hristozov will appear as Morales.
This grand and spectacular production features the orchestra, chorus, and ballet of the Burgas State Opera, as well as the wonderful young singers of the Milka Stoeva Children's Choir, conducted by Marieta Seklemova. The production is directed by Darina Glavanakova-Bakardzhieva, with Lina Peeva and Petar Tiholov serving as assistant directors; Alexander Chepanov conducts the chorus, Galina Kalcheva provides the choreography, Marina Zmeeva-Markova is the ballet répétiteur, and Rayna Popova serves as the vocal coach/accompanist. The opera *Carmen* has become iconic—not only for Georges Bizet’s beautiful music, characterized by exquisite melodic lines and motifs that have achieved independent popularity, but also for a story that continues to captivate audiences and evoke a wide range of emotions. Tuesday’s performance is expected to once again demonstrate the work's unique impact on the audience, led by the spirited baton of conductor Ivan Kozhuharov—who makes no secret of the fact that this opera is a personal favorite. The entire cast—including the magnificent soloists, musicians, chorus, and ballet—will deliver a stellar performance, showcasing the artistry and inner passion that perfectly match the intense energy of this musical and dramatic narrative.
Tickets for *Carmen* are available at the Opera box office, the "Clock" (Chasovnika) box office, Grabo, and Eventim.

Contact:
Temenuga Zaharieva
Public Relations
State Opera – Burgas
Tel.: 0887211610
0884593797
E-mail: burgasopera@gmail.com