The ballet “Carmina Burana” enchanted again the spectators on 4 September at the Tsari Mali Grad Fortress, after the performance of “Zorba the Greek” the previous evening. The ballet company of the Sofia Opera with Artistic Director Sara-Nora Krysteva follows the philosophy that one contemporary ballet like “Carmina Burana” can awake emotions and fill in the audience with indescribable enthusiasm like whichever classic spectacle. The company of the Opera made an impressive performance. The art of the ballet, which unites modernity and classical art, built bridges between past and present time. The bright artists of the ballet of the Opera, dressed in interesting and untraditional costumes, shook up all present spectators. Through the dance they shared sincerely their emotions with the audience at the festival “Portal of the Two Worlds”. The spectators watched and applauded the ballet masterpiece “Carmina Burana”. The spectacle is one of the modern works in the world of 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. Fredy Franzutti’s choreography reveals the difficult transition from youth to maturity. A group of wandering preachers realizes 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.
Marta Petkova and Tsetso Ivanov shared their impressions after the performance of “Carmina Burana”.
Marta Petkova: For me the stage at the Tsari Mali Grad Fortress, charged with a lot of history, is full of magic. I thank on behalf of myself and on behalf of the spectators that this summer Acad. Plamen Kartaloff, Director of the Opera, opened for us new attractive stages like the one at Lake Pancharevo and this at the fortress near Samokov. The stage was large, comfortable and I would say that it is one of the most beautiful, on which I have performed. I thank also the audience, which became one with us, and we – with it!
Tsetso Ivanov: For me “Carmina Burana” is a happy experience at a very beautiful historical place, which I shall remember for a long time. The stage is comfortable, the lighting is splendid and the spectacle spread in the night like a marvellous message to the spectators: “Be merry from the fact that we have a magnificent, fantastic nature and a unique stage, which is rarely to be found. I thank the audience that our feelings were mutual too!”
In “Carmina Burana” took part:
Marta Petkova, Sofia Tsutsakova-Abenanty, Kristina Chochanova-Ivanova, Tsetso Ivanov, Aleksandar Aleksandrov, Emil Yordanov, John Abenaty, Francesco Congiusti, Mathew Wittle and Georgi Banchev.
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
