02 august 2025 Exciting Performance of "Troubadour" at the Begliktash Sanctuary

On the second evening of August, in the mystical area of Begliktash, at the foot of Strandzha Mountain, near the picturesque Maslen Nos, for the second time this year, a magical reality was created - with the spectacle of one of the most beloved Verdi operas - "Il Trovatore". The performance under the baton of Prof. Dr. Ivaylo Krinchev was magnificent, which the artists and musicians of the State Opera - Burgas presented to the numerous international audience at the sacred place where the ancient Thracians performed their mysteries, called on 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. As if on the rocks, in parallel with the presentation of the dramatic storyline of "The Troubadour", which follows ancestral curses, pain, redemption, and foretold death, paintings from antiquity came to life, like frescoes imprinted in the iconography of history.
The thematically selected multimedia environment, featuring waterfalls, gypsy tents in the forest, a castle dungeon, and a cathedral dome, was designed on the rock massifs and added a wonderful touch to the natural decor of the megalithic blocks and the surrounding mountain landscape.
The overall impressive picture was supported by incredibly high professionalism, which was presented by all the performers, under the skillful, unifying conducting of Maestro Krinchev. The classy soloists were united in a single emotional suggestibility. The tenor, who has sung with success on world stages, including alongside Gena Dimitrova – Kostadin Andreev /guest/, soloist of the Sofia Opera and Ballet, unleashed all his vocal and artistic power in the image of Manrico, tragically in love with Leonora, who met his death at the hands of his brother. The charming soprano Maria Tsvetkova-Madzharova was a true embodiment of Leonora, with a gentle presence and brilliant shades of voice, recreating her pure love transformed into self-sacrifice. The sweeping power – in voice and sensitivity- of the renowned mezzo-soprano Daniela Dyakova – an undisputed ruler of every scene in one of her iconic roles – of Azucena, torn by the tragedy of family karma and ineradicable human pain. Exceptional - as a vocal achievement, highly impactful - with his recreation of hard-heartedness and inflexibility, was the distinguished baritone Alexander Krunev, as Count Di Luna, who himself falls into the fateful trap of his passion, marked by a family curse. Kostadin Mechkov, bass – in the role of the chief of the guard Ferrando, who tells the soldiers the sad story of the exchanged brothers, one of whom mistakenly falls into the fire. Mezzo-soprano Lina Peeva, who is also the assistant director of the production, in the role of Leonora’s close friend Ines, was also respectful with her dedication and humanity. Congratulations also to all the other wonderful soloists who experienced the story, not only sang their parts, but presented in fullness and dramatic integrity, the tragic plot, which is eternal – in terms of emotion and symbolism: tenor Milen Dinolov – as Ruitz, bass Nikolay Nikolov – in the role of the Old Gypsy, and Valyo Totev – as the Herald.

Admiration for the cohesive and strongly emotional sound of the choir with conductor Alexander Chepanov, who managed to convey a spectrum of feelings through beautifully constructed dynamics and masterful performance, as well as for the temperamental presence of the artists from the ballet troupe of the Burgas Opera with the tutor Marina Zmeeva-Markova, who performed with choreography by Galina Kalcheva.
Ovations – as a perfectly executed job, again, deserve all the specialists from the technical services of the State Opera – Burgas, who managed to realize a large-scale spectacle on the difficult terrain for logistics; thanks also for the professionally presented sound design, the work of Eng. Kiril Yanev from the studio “Balkadnzhi” tailored to the specifics of the area, as well as the characteristics of each voice and instrument.
The second event of the “Opera of the Sanctuary” festival, implemented for the sixth time by the State Opera – Burgas and the Municipality of Primorsko, was proof of the role and power of continuity and good partnership in the name of a higher goal, related to the role of art – as an emblem of the spirituality of the nation. And one of the aspects through which we are recognizable, convertible, and competitive is precisely classical music. It is precisely because of this undeniable fact that we should preserve traditions and build on them.

The third event of the festival program, which for the first year contains as many as five titles, is another opera masterpiece by Giuseppe Verdi - "Rigoletto". The production among the megalithic blocks of Begliktash was first presented in the past 2024, and was a huge success.
Good luck to the other performances: Verdi's epic work "Aida" - on August 16 /also presented with a furor for the first time at last year's festival/, and "Nabucco" - also an opera by Verdi, which will be staged for the third time among the natural decor of Begliktash.

Photos and text: State Opera - Burgas