The splendid ballet “Zorba the Greek” will be performed on 3 September on the stage of the festival “Portal of the Two Worlds” at the Tsari Mali Grad Fortress. The spectacle is one of the most demanded and successful productions of the Ballet of the Sofia Opera. The myth about Zorba has been always accepted as a symbol of the human striving for freedom. For the first time the story was immortalized in the short novel by the Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis, after which was written a scenario for a film by Michael Cacoyannis, and in 1988 was created the ballet version by Lorca Massine to the music of the eminent Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis. The ballet “Zorba the Greek” had a world premiere on 6 August 1988, on the stage of Arena di Verona. The spectacle was seen in more than 30 countries, and the open air spectacle in Rio de Janeiro was visited by 120 000 spectators. In Bulgaria the ballet was staged for the first time on 12 May 1995 on the stage of the National Palace of Culture.
In “Zorba the Greek” on 3 September participate:
Marta Petkova in the role of Marina, Rosen Kanev – Zorba, Nikola Hadjitanev – John, Rumen Bonev – Yorgos, Marina Marinova – Madame Hortense
Production team:
Lorca Massine – Choreography, directing and libretto.
Artistic Director of the Ballet of the Sofia Opera – Sara-Nora Krysteva
Anna Krzyskow – Guest Assistant choreographer
Guest consultant costume designer – Tsvetanka Petkova-Stoynova
Assistant director and stage manager – Riolina Topalova
Répétiteurs: Maria Ilieva, Trifon Mitev
On 4 September on the stage in the Tsari Mali Grad Fortress the spectators will have the chance to see the ballet masterpiece “Carmina Burana” to the music by Carl Orff. The spectacle is one of the modern works in contemporary choreography. “Carmina Burana” is defined by some as oratory, and by others as stage cantata, but actually it represents a synthesis of profane songs about love, wine and women. Carl Orff’s incredible, wonderful music is at last seen in its full brilliance as stage work. The choreography by Fredy Franzutti reveals the difficult transition from youth to maturity. A group of wandering preachers realize that the world isn’t ruled by moral principles. Then they create a circle of people, who follow the rules of virtue and immerse themselves into a life, full of enjoyments. The pleasure from the existing, the wonderfully performed dances enchant the spectators through poetry, which burlesques the clichés of sermon.
In “Carmina Burana” on 4 September take part:
Sofia Tsutsakova-Abenanty /Fortuna/
Marta Petkova /The Virgin/,
Tsetso Ivanov /The Heretic, The Chosen One, The Angel/
John Abenanty /The Young Peasant/
Kristina Chochanova-Ivanova /The Animal Creation/,
Emil Yordanov /The Demonic Publican, A Seducer/
Aleksandar Aleksandrov /A Swan/
Georgi Banchev /The Truth/
Francesco Congiusti, Mathew Wittle /The Free Love/
The ballet is performed to recorded music.
Choreography, set design, artistic lighting and costumes – Fredy Franzutti
Artistic Director of the Ballet of the Sofia Opera – Sara-Nora Krysteva
Répétiteurs: Maria Ilieva, Trifon Mitev
Stage manager: Riolina Topalova