A famous title returns to the Sofia Opera repertoire.
The premiere performance of the opera “Adriana Lecouvreur” previously performed during the 80s is dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Alexandrina Milcheva and Raina Kabaivanska’s birth
The premiere performances of “Adriana Lecouvreur” at the Sofia Opera will take place on the 29th and 30th of November and on the 1st and 15th of December. Photo: “Ploshtad Slaveikov”
Ploshtad SLAVEIKOV 21.11.2024
One of the Sofia Opera’s most applauded titles in the 80s returns. “Adriana Lecouvreur” by Francesco Cilea will premiere on the 29th and 30th of November: 37 years after the last production of this piece. An almost thrice as big ensemble is now rehearsing this opera of love, jealousy and the consequences thereof; the story unfolds in France, during the 18th century. This performance is dedicated to two of the greatest Bulgarian opera stars: Alexandrina Milcheva and Raina Kabaivanska who will both celebrate their 90th birthday in 2024.
Both singers have performed in “Adriana Lecouvreur”, with the following artists also performing in this opera throughout the years: Stefka Evstatieva, Hristina Hadzhieva, Stefka Mineva, Rumen Doykov. Performance director: Petar Shtarbanov. Conductor: Borish Hinchev. The opera’s previous premiere was during 1987.
“Adriana Lecouvreur” was composed in 1902, with a libretto by Arturo Colautti and inspired by Eugene Scribe’s melodrama. The opera tells the story of the French actress of the same name (1692-1730) considered by many as the greatest of her time. Lecouvreur was widely beloved by the audience but was also famous for her romance with Maurice de Saxe and for her mysterious death. Some theories even suggest the actress was poisoned by Karolina Sobieska who also wanted to win de Saxe’s heart.
After its premiere, this opera was forgotten for thirty years, Francesco Rosa, conductor of “Adriana Lecouvreur” at the Sofia Opera noted. Eloquent and an incredible erudite, this conductor is the ensemble’s favorite. During a press conference today, maestro Rosa made a short musical analysis of “Adriana Lecouvreur”. According to him, it strongly resembles “Andrea Chénier” by Umberto Giordano. In his words, this is an opera of colors and that’s why he focuses on color nuances during his work with the orchestra. In the score, he sees an influence by Masne, Shuman and Wagner. That is why he believes it will be a great challenge for the lead singers to portray all the different characters.
This opera isn’t one of the most performed ones in the world but maestro Rosa knows the piece well, ever since he worked as conductor Daniel Oren’s assistant who had years before conducted the performance together with Raina Kabaivanska at Naples. Later, Francesco Rosa went on to conduct “Adriana Lecouvreur” in many different opera theaters in Italy.
Yuliya Krasteva is the director of “Adriana Lecouvreur” at the Sofia Opera. Scenographer: Alfredo Troisi; costumes: Vesna Radovic; ballet choreographer: Lyudmila Ilieva.
Three sopranos are preparing for the role of Adriana Lecouvreur at the Sofia Opera: Gabriela Georgieva, Radostina Nikolaeva and Tsvetana Bandalovska. Three tenors will perform as count Mauricio: Daniel Damyanov, Kostadin Andreev and Martin Iliev.
“Taking care of our ensemble is my top priority” acad. Plamen Kartaloff, director of the Sofia Opera, commented.
He also announced that preparations are underway to add an eighth opera by Wagner to the Sofia Opera repertoire: Tannhäuser.
https://www.ploshtadslaveikov.com/sofijskata-opera-vrashta-v-afisha-slavno-zaglavie/