At the occasion of 400 years since the death of Shakespeare and Cervantes

In 2016 are completed 400 years since the death of the great writers Shakespeare and Cervantes. The day of their demise – 23 April was determined as the World Book and Copyright Day.

For the jubilee celebration this year, in England was decided to create a musical composition. This honour was given to Dobrinka Tabakova. For it she received many awards and enjoyed the recognition of the music specialists.

Her cantata was performed in Shakespeare’s hometown Stratford-upon-Avon, in the Saint Trinity Church, where he was buried, on 26 April this year.

Who is Dobrinka Tabakova?

Dobrinka Tabakova was born in Plovdiv, but since 25 years she lives in London. She graduated from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and was awarded a doctor’s degree in major Composition by the King’s College, London. Her debut album was produced by the world known company ECM Records and was nominated for Grammy in 2014. Dobrinka Tabakova is the author of the hymn “Praise”, performed at the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

Dobrinka Tabakova about herself: 

The cantata was inspired by the immortal words of the great Bard. The great English artist Turner made a series of sketches by his visit in Stratford-upon-Avon, the playwright’s hometown, in 1833 and on one of them he marked: “Immortal Shakespeare was born in this house”.

This caption gave the title.

I selected texts from Shakespeare’s plays, which describe the seven different stages of human life from birth to death.

For beginning, I am using the well-known monologue of the character Jacques from the play “As you like it”:

All the world’s a stage,

and all the men and women merely players;

they have their exits and their entrances,

and one man in his time plays many parts,

his acts being seven ages

William Shakespeare

In the second part of the evening will be presented scenes from operas after works by Shakespeare: “Otello” and “Macbeth” by Verdi and by Cervantes “Don Quichotte” by Jules Massenet.

Concert evening

on 04.12.2016, 19:00 h

The programme includes: 

DOBRINKA TABAKOVA – cantata “IMMORTAL SHAKESPEARE”

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN BULGARIA

Participants: chorus and orchestra of the Sofia Opera and Ballet
Conductor: MAXIM RYSANOV

******
Fragments from the operas – “OTELLO” – Giuseppe Verdi, “MACBETH” – Giuseppe Verdi,

“DON QUICHOTTE” – Jules Massenet

Participants: soloists and orchestra of the Sofia Opera and Ballet
Conductor: GRIGOR PALIKAROV