After the long isolation of all theatres because of the world Covid 19 pandemic, Academician Plamen Kartaloff provided idea and artistic direction to six stages during summer 2020. “We try to be closer to our audience. The Sofia Opera first in the world started performing live spectacles by observing all measures for security of the spectators” – shared the Director of the theatre. From 16 June to 8 August these are: The Big hall of the theatre, the Park of the G.S. Rakovski Academy of Defence, Lake Pancharevo, Roman Square at the Boyana Cinema Centre, the Belogradchik Rocks and the Magura Cave.

On 24 and 25 July, the Opera will present the unique spectacle “Das Rheingold” on the new open stage at Lake Pancharevo – “Muses of Water”.

Ten years ago, took place the historical premiere of this production at the Sofia Opera, which set the beginning of a brilliant panorama of Richard Wagner’s work – the other three titles from the cycle “Der Ring des Nibelungen” (“Die Walküre”, “Siegfried” and “Götterdämmerung”), followed by “Tristan und Isolde” and “Parsifal”. These innovative productions by Plamen Kartaloff added new glitter to Sofia on the world opera map, attracted hundreds Wagnerians from near and far, gave space for thorough analysis and high esteems by critics and specialists.

“Das Rheingold” is a peculiar introduction to the story of the ominous ring, born out of rejecting love. As known, Wagner created this monumental opus with the purpose to be shown in the frames of a festival of several days and he even made his dream come true – a specially constructed theatre in Bayreuth, allowing a full immersion of the audience in the magic of the action.

But also taken alone, the opera “Das Rheingold” is a unique synthesis of the musical searches and thematic dominants of Wagner’s rife work of art. Here interweave with special emotionality and phantasy philosophy and mythology, thirst for power and striving for freedom, triumph and downfall.

What unites the participants in this dramatic saga – the Rhine daughters and the Nibelungs, the gods and the giants – is THE GOLD. Once kidnapped, it begins playing a fatal role in the life of each of the characters – a peculiar karma, which everyone evokes and meets on his own.

One wild and sparkling spectacle, which the audience is invited to enjoy and which to this day remains inexhaustible, charming and challenging as before with its depths, temptations and undergrounds.

The bass Martin Tzonev, who sings at the Opera in Bonn, will perform the role of Wotan from “Das Rheingold”. For his character and for his favourite Wagner the singer shares: “Wotan (Odin) is a god. He turns the destinies of the visible and the invisible in this world. With his irresistible zeal for the new and the progress, he commits also a sin. In the beginning everything is in order and balance. He takes away an element of the supreme power from the eternal tree Yggdrasil and makes the spear of law out of it – it is the constitution of the world. But he pays for his wisdom and supreme power with one of his eyes. Sin comes with the fear not to lose the power, with the envy that someone else is on the way to become so powerful as him, but eventually to throw the world in darkness. Because the Nibelung Alberich is able to do it. Alberich was refused love and tenderness, he curses love, steals the Rhinegold and together with his brother Mime creates the ring of power and the veil for all kinds of transformation. Wotan deprives him the ring with cunning tricks and force and takes the curse on himself. Once cursed, all characters are looking for purification. Then follow plans of genius, heroic deeds, selfless love, but also a lot of sorrow till the element of the curse turns back at its place. Then already the only choice is to make way for the new world of the humans. The conclusion is that the greatest thing is not to be a god or a power of nature, but the greatest gift in this world is to be a human!”

About his favourite composer Richard Wagner the singer points out: “I am a Wagnerian. When Academician Kartaloff included me in this feat – the project “Der Ring des Nibelungen”, I was thankful to the Maestro and then to everybody – singers, orchestra, conductor, technical services and not at the last place – to the unique world of costumes and sets, in which put us the designer Nikolay Panayotov, together with Plamen Kartaloff.

In the beginning, I was not convinced that I am suitable for this repertoire as qualities. But I am curious artist and I am always trying. Kartaloff believed in me and I convinced myself that already more than 10 seasons I am worthy of this unthinkable till now for Bulgarian singers level and specifics. Acknowledged esteem also by the international critique and Wagner societies of connoisseurs.”

In “Das Rheingold” besides the bass Martin Tzonev the spectators will see and hear the soloists of the Sofia Opera, the singers: Svetozar Rangelov, Hrisimisr Damyanov, Daniel Ostretsov, Biser Georgiev, Krasimir Dinev, Stefan Vladimirov, Petar Buchkov, Rumyana Petrova, Silvana Pravcheva, Blagovesta Mekki-Tsvetkova, Ayla Dobreva, Ina Petrova, Aleksandrina Stoyanova-Andreeva.

Guest-conductor is Erich Wächter, whom our audience knows since a long time.

The project “Muses of Water” is realized under the patronage of the Mayor of Sofia Municipality Mrs. Yordanka Fandakova and is part of the Calendar of the cultural events of Sofia for 2020.