05 august 2023 An impressive "Samson Et Dalila" At "Sanctuary Opera"
Sometimes words are superfluous...And it remains - as a priceless memory, the feeling of contact with something extraordinary. Such was the feeling after the magnificent performance of "Samson and Delilah" on Saturday evening, August 5. And the first evening of the festival "Opera Аt The Sanctuary" 2023, realized for the fourth time by the Burgas State Opera and the Municipality of Primorsko, fulfilled this maxim with content.
The performance of the OPERA ON THE SANCTUARY'23 - SAMSON ET DALILA/ OPERA ON THE SANCTUARY'23 - SAMSON ET DALILA by Camille Saint-Saëns, directed especially for the conditions of the scene in the ancient Thracian megalithic complex Begliktash by Assoc. Dr. Alexander Tekeliev, recreated - in sync with nature, hidden in the stone blocks are legends about fervent prayers to the gods and sacrifices, the legend of the power of ancestral memory, the dictates of the heart, in conflict with reason, of the temptation leading to destruction, of God's retribution and spiritual transformation.
An exceptional overall performance by the soloists - Daniela Dyakova, Kostadin Andreev, Alexander Krunev, Delyan Slavov, Diman Panchev, Lyubomir Todorov, Milen Dinolov, and Ivan Grozev, the orchestra - with concertmaster Hristo Belchev, the choir - with conductor Alexander Chepanov, and the ballet - choreographed by Galina Kalcheva, under the baton of maestro Ivan Kozhuharov!
The dark clouds hanging over the sanctuary at the beginning of the performance quickly moved behind the horizon and gave way to the pure sample of art, presented - as a sacrament, in the magical place. Symbolically, the gods were kind and granted a star covenant to the artists and the entire team that carried out the ambitious project of recreating an ancient legend containing universal human messages that do not lose their topical sound.
An exceptional visual and dynamic highlight was the presentation of the ballet ensemble of the State Opera - Burgas /choreography - Galina Kalcheva, tutor of the ensemble - Marina Zmeeva-Markova/ - both in the general scenes and in the emblematic "bacchanalia" - a semantic-emotional masterpiece of sensory perception! Comments were heard from the audience that "they have never seen a better ballet"...
The orchestrators of the Burgas Opera also deserve admiration, under the baton of the remarkable doyen in the Bulgarian cultural space - maestro Ivan Kozhuharov - the orchestra sounded extremely cohesive, with masterfully built dynamics and transitions in the complex polyphonic score of Camille Saint-Saëns.
The chorus was also impeccable - both in the quiet nuances and in the bursting moments that required strong expression.
The beautiful voices of mezzo-soprano Daniela Dyakova and tenor Kostadin Andreev merged in an emotional-meaningful symbiosis amid Beglitash's impressive natural setting, elevating the idea of love, betrayal, redemption, and sacrifice in the name of a higher goal. The two protagonists were amazing - both in tone extraction and acting suggestion. A notable antagonist in the storyline was the High Priest of Dagon, performed by the baritone Alexander Krunev - respectable with the power of his remarkable voice, carrying ideological messages. The rest of the soloists also had a strong artistic presence, complemented by voice and vision, each of them with their irreplaceable place in telling the exciting story of the picturesque scene among the rocks of the Thracian sanctuary: the bass Delyan Slavov - in the image of Abimelech, satrap of Gaza, the Old Jew - Diman Panchev, bass, Messenger of the Philistines - tenor Lyubomir Todorov, First Philistine - Milen Dinolov, tenor, Second Philistine - bass Ivan Grozev.
The visual effects during the performance were also impressive, which were conceptually integrated into the overall concept, as well as the professional sound and technical provision of the large-scale musical-scenic project. For the first time, the State Opera - Burgas uses the current 3D mapping and multimedia - for a complementary sensory perception of the messages embedded in the biblical plot. Prison bars, flames, a visualization of the Temple of Dagon, and crawling snakes representing the creeping and morally destroying Evil - in its purest form - were achieved to an extremely impressive effect, in sync with the captivating music and a dignified performance by all the artists and musicians! The audience was truly breathless and followed each scene and the succession of intriguing moments - as if attending a sacred ritual at the magical place in the ancient megalithic complex, rightly considered the "Bulgarian Stonehenge".
The level of technical support and the complex organization of the open terrain at the foot of Strandzha mountain /congratulations to Dimitar Peshev /technical director/, Nikola Peshev /visual effects/, assistant directors - Lina Peeva and Petar Tiholov, subtitle specialists /Srebrina Slavova were remarkable. /, make-up and wigs /Kalina Popova/, props /Dora Fertunova/, dressers, lighting, stage workers, operators, etc. The dubbing was also at a world level - here is the place to thank the impeccable sound directing work provided by Eng. Kiril Yanev from "Studio Balkandhi".
As always, the organization of the Primorsko Municipality side was at the usual high level - all components of a high-quality performance were present. Congratulations are also due: the director, Assoc. Dr. Alexander Tekeliev - for the wonderful adaptation of the production to the difficult terrain, as the attractive scenes with choir and ballet were not spared - they were combined both on the specially built stage and on the megalithic rock formations; all technical staff, assistant director. The organization providing comfort in welcoming, accommodating, and sending off the guests was also at a level. Congratulations also deserve the wonderful emotions and prepared for an event of a similar rank international audience, who sympathized with the captivating messages of the majestic spectacle.