Metropolitan Kiprian of Stara Zagora will conduct the large-scale production of "The Desert of Rila"
On the 10 and 23 May, at the National Opera we will have the possibility to watch the premiere of an extraordinary spectacle – "The Hermit of Rila" – about the patron saint of Bulgaria St. John of Rila and on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the restoration of the Bulgarian Patriarchate.
For the first time on the stage of the Оpera steps such a spectacle, whose lyrics are in Church Slavonic. The libretto of the musical poem has an interesting story, and will be presented on the stage by a large and mixed team of actors, singers and choristers, accompanied by an orchestra. The conductor of the production is Metropolitan Kiprian of Stara Zagora, the director – Plamen Kartaloff.
"The Hermit of Rila" at the Sofia Opera
In the role of the saint we will see the actor Irinei Konstantinov, and as a young – in the performance of Atanas Mladenov. In the narrative a very interesting role is given to the saint's brother, performed by Veselin Mihaylov. He tries to bring his brother John back into the worldly life, but he loses his son Luka and has to make conclusions of his life and the choices one makes as a mortal.
Among the characters we will see more interesting personages, such as King Peter – our longest reigning king, whose role is given to Angel Hristov.
The music of "The Hermit of Rila" is by Father Kiril Popov. The stage design is by Marta Mironska, the consultant of the historical scenes is Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pavel Pavlov. Children from the Children's Vocal and Instrumental Formation, led by Dimitar Konstantsaliev, also take part in the spectacle.
The author of "The Hermit of Rila" – Tihomir Pavlov
The lyrics of "The Hermit of Rila" is by Tihomir Pavlov. The poem was written in 1937 and is the last work of an amazingly cultured man who, without being a churchman, wrote the text in Church Slavonic without error, with great faith in God and with adoration for the life and sufferings of St. John of Rila, known among our people as John of Rila the Wonderworker.
Tihomir Pavlov, birth name Alexander Pavlov, was born on 14th June 1880 in Kazanlak. He graduated in law and was known as a writer and public figure. He is the author of novels, short stories, poems, journalism and ethnographic works, invaluable for their content and writing.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pavel Pavlov – consultant of the spectacle / Photo: Emi Marianska, Dir.bg
A key theme in his work is the question of historical justice. Pavlov was born within the borders of Eastern Rumelia and his life's credo became the Unification of Bulgaria. He was of the generation bloodied by the plundering of Bulgaria after the Balkan Wars and the First World War. Tihomir Pavlov's whole life passed in an unceasing struggle, without falling in spirit and without waiting for a "vain reward". So says his obituary.
Perhaps that is why he was so strongly attracted to the personality of St. John of Rila – with the strength of his spirit and his full devotion to the service of God and for the sake of men. Tihomir Pavlov, in his multifaceted intellect as a scholar, publicist, politician and writer, sought a unifying centre for the aspirations of the Bulgarians, and at the end of his life, with his last work, he found it in the personality of St. John of Rila.
The poem uses a wealth of historical information, and the Bulgarian land is presented as God's chosen, as "heaven on earth". In the final part, Tihomir Pavlov gives us hope with the words of the saint:
"Do not weep, my beloved children, for I will be with you forever and ever!"
The author Tihomir Pavlov left this world only a few months after he wrote the poem and his work remained in oblivion for many years until two years ago, accidentally or not at all, Father Kiril found it in his archive and was struck by the inspired lyrics in it. He reread the text again and again and was filled with the feeling that this is not just a hagiography of the saint, but an empathy with him that should reach more Bulgarians.
At the press conference at the Opera, Father Kiril Popov said that at that moment he wished himself good health so that he could realize his conception as the saint deserved.
His student in choral conducting at the Seminary was the present Metropolitan Kiprian. Father Kiril Popov invited him to conduct "The Hermit of Rila". It was the first time in our Opera that such an experiment was made – a symbiosis between Eastern and Western singing, solo performances by children and professional soloists singing in Church Slavonic.
In the temples these solos are performed a cappella, but now they will be accompanied by an orchestra that always somehow "lifts" the text and the singing in an exciting way. The music and the lyrics will touch the hearts of the audience and properly lift the personality of St. John of Rila, who, as Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pavlov rightly notes, "has gathered all the best traits and values of the Bulgarian".
The actor Irinei Konstantinov, about his role as St. John of Rila / Photo: Emi Marianska, Dir.bg
The actor Irinei Konstantinov admitted that he accepted the role of the saint with great trepidation because he was respected by the voices of the opera artists and was afraid how he would meet the high expectations with his impersonation of such a personality as the Wonderworker. After much reflection, he took up the challenge for generic and internal reasons, as a vow to himself.
The reason he received an invitation for the role was his acquaintance some time ago with Father Kiril. The two met while the actor was filming a movie about his uncle at Sveta Nedelya. When Father Kiril shared his idea for "The Hermit of Rila" with him, Irinei Konstantinov was taken aback by the scale of the project: "At first, after reading the text, I was startled. I said to myself – this is a very complicated text. But my generic memory obliged my soul to take this on," the actor said.
The message of the spectacle is addressed to all Bulgarians – that there is a saint who promised the Bulgarians to protect them, but they must also turn to faith and the spiritual in themselves to help themselves.
"It is a great challenge and I hope that the message we are sending will reach the people," added Atanas Mladenov, who plays the role of the young Hermit of Rila.
One of the most interesting roles, as a counterpoint to the saint, is that of his brother. Its performer, Veselin Mihaylov, said: "I am grateful to be in the role of the bad character. Each of us has a temple, however small, inside us. And if we open these gates, we will be very happy, satisfied, humbled, but not helpless. Namely, we need to work hard on our spirituality and physical development," Mihaylov said, and this address to the audience was applauded as a hope that our nation will embark on the right path of Faith and Hope, for a spiritual and new, fulfilling way of life.
The death of Luka, the nephew of St. John of Rila, is conceived in the play as a sacrificial act of awareness through pain. After such a loss, one makes sense of one's life in a different way – one understands that the material is perishable and only the Spirit leads one to God.
We are looking forward to this large-scale spectacle, because it promises to be not only an extraordinary stage and creative experiment, but also with spiritual power to ignite through art that spark of love that Bulgarians have been craving for a long time.
In the hope that with the blessing of St. John of Rila and God ahead, our nation will endure through the ages.
Emi MARIANSKA