20 october 2023 The Laureates Of The "Stoyan Popov" 2023 Competition Are Known

The second edition of the National Competition for Young Opera Singers with international participation "Stoyan Popov" was held from October 17 to 19 in the hall of the State Opera - Burgas. Young opera singers from 7 countries took part in the competition. The forum went to a highly professional level and – after the undisputed success of the first edition in 2022 – undoubtedly cemented its status as one of the significant highlights in the seaside city's cultural calendar.

The prestigious event takes place with the cooperation of the Municipality of Burgas, with which the Burgas Opera has a long-standing successful partnership. The idea and implementation of the competition are thanks to Associate Professor Dr. Alexander Tekeliev, who was a student of maestro Stoyan Popov.

The patron of the competition is the great Bulgarian baritone, who has sung with many years of success on our and world stages - Stoyan Popov. Maestro Stoyan Popov is called by the French music critics "Voice Cathedral" and "Bulgarian Tito Gobi". His tours on the world opera stages receive evaluations such as "exceptional Macbeth", "unsurpassed interpreter of Scarpia" and others.

The original idea for the competition in his name was to be held every two years, but this year is an exception, as we celebrate the 90th anniversary of the birth of maestro Stoyan Popov - exactly on the day of the laureates' gala concert - October 21. The photo exhibition "90 Years of Stoyan Popov" is available in the lobby of the Burgas Opera House, which was opened on October 17, when the second edition of the competition was launched, named after the great Bulgarian opera singer, whose remarkable career began precisely in Burgas. Anyone who wishes to get acquainted with moments from the rich artistic path of the world baritone Stoyan Popov could look at the exhibition.

The two competition days /October 18 and 19/ were very well organized. High vocal prowess, a precisely selected program in accordance with the regulations, respect for the jury, the cultural institute, and the importance of the event were shown by all the young opera singers - with behavior, attitude, and a well-groomed appearance. The level of piano accompaniment of the accompanists, who were reliable stage partners of the singers, was also high. The men's competition was particularly contested.

The winners of the competition were selected by the authoritative jury, consisting of the famous opera singer of world fame Kaludi Kaludov - chairman, and members: Prof. Niko Isakov, Prof. Dr. Toni Shekerdzhieva-Novak - Rector of AMTI "Prof. Asen Diamandiev", distinguished opera and chamber singer, vocal pedagogue; Prof. Dr. Grigor Palikarov - conductor, chief artistic director of the Symphony Orchestra - Pazardzhik; Ognyan Draganov - director of the State Opera - Burgas, and Associate Professor Alexander Tekeliev - director of the Burgas Opera.

The winners of the competition will be soloists of the orchestra of the Burgas Opera at the gala concert, which will take place tomorrow, October 21 - the birthday of Stoyan Popov, the patron of the competition, at 19:00 in the hall of the State Opera - Burgas.

Maestro Grigor Palikarov will stand behind the conductor's desk. Prof. Dr. Palikarov was also a member of the authoritative jury of the competition, he was also behind the counter at last year's gala concert of the laureates of the First "Stoyan Popov" competition, which was marked by a high emotional level and undisputed professionalism.

The program of the gala concert on Saturday will feature arias from world opera literature: Overture "Fidelio" by Ludwig van Beethoven, Onegin's aria from the opera "Eugene Onegin" by P.I. Tchaikovsky, Escamilio's aria /"Couples of the Toreador"/ from "Carmen" by Georges Bizet, Leila's Aria from the opera "Pearl Hunters" by Georges Bizet, Lisa's Aria from "The Lady of Spades" by P. I. Tchaikovsky, Philippe's Aria from the opera "Don Carlos" by Giuseppe Verdi, Aria of Werther from the opera of the same name by Jules Massenet and "Cheers" from "La Traviata" by Giuseppe Verdi - as a brilliant finale to the festive gala.

Tickets for the gala concert of the laureates on October 21, Saturday, at 7 p.m., also in the hall of the Burgas Opera - at the Opera's box office, "Chasovnika" box office, as well as on the Eventim network - https://www.eventim.bg/. ../drzhavna.../performance.html

The winners of the prizes awarded by the jury are:

WOMEN:

First prize - not awarded

Second prize - not awarded

Third prize and participation in a performance of the State Opera - Stara Zagora in the 2023/2024 season - Stefani Krasteva/ Bulgaria

Third prize – Yu Ting/ China

MEN:

First prize and participation in a performance of the State Opera - Burgas in the 2023/2024 season - Bartosz Keshkowski/ Poland

Second prize and participation in a performance of the State Opera - Burgas in the 2023/2024 season - Mindaugas Mishkinis/ Lithuania

Third prize – Wojciech Kaczmarek/ Poland

Third Prize – He Qingfan / China