On 3 September, at the festival “Portal of the Two Worlds” at the Tsari Mali Grad Fortress, the ballet of the Sofia Opera and Ballet, with Artistic Director Sara-Nora Krysteva, presented the spectacle “Zorba the Greek”. The audience reacted exceptionally emotionally, it was entranced and applauded long time its favourites – Marta Petkova, Nikola Hadjitanev, Rosen Kanev, Marina Marinova, Rumen Bonev.
After the spectacle, the participants in it shared:
Marta Petkova: “For me this is one of the special spectacles, because I am always striving to reinterpret the character of Marina in a different way! Great pleasure is to share the stage with Nikola Hadjitanev and the rest of the colleagues, who are wonderful! The spectacle carries a strong emotion for us, as well as for the audience!”
Rosen Kanev: “First of all, I would like to thank Acad. Kartaloff for his inexhaustible energy and determination, in the times of a deep crisis! To thank the audience for the desire to be with us, and the sponsors and the partners for the hand they held out to us. As well as the whole team of the Sofia Opera and Ballet for the wonderful work.
I will allow myself to refer to Kazantzakis and his unforgettable Zorba:
“If only we know, boss, what the stones and rain and flowers say. Maybe they call – call us – and we don’t hear them. When will people’s ears open, boss? When shall we have our eyes open to see? When shall we open our arms to embrace everything – stones, rain, flowers, and men?”
This is what happened, the stone called us and the flowers, and the rain, and we responded. Ancient rites, cult places. Places, which are marked by time and emotions. Now places, filled in with opera and ballet. With people, thirsty for art.
I feel great joy that I am part of this enormous embrace. The embrace of the seeking soul and the free spirit. The embrace of Zorba.”
Nikola Hadjitanev: “My personage John is characterized by the fact that he has to be exceptionally energic and charismatic. The role is full of many complex technical elements and at the same time it is difficult for acting and a challenge for each dancer. The reaction of the audience is of great importance for a spectacle like “Zorba the Greek”, especially for the artists, who perform it. For my great happiness, the audience on the stage in Tsari Mali Grad was exceptionally moved and emotional, and I clearly felt their delight and pleasure from the performance.
I like the ballet “Zorba the Greek”, because for me it brings a lot of freedom, which allows me to expand myself emotionally. Lorca Massine’s choreography and Mikis Theodoraki’s music complete themselves mutually and I consider that the spectacle is a real enjoyment for the senses of each spectator.”
In Bulgaria the ballet “Zorba the Greek” by Mikis Theodorakis was staged by Lorca Massine for the first time on 12 May 1995, at the stage of the National Palace of Culture with the ballet of the Sofia Opera. Since the first production of the ballet have passed entire 25 years, but the audience welcomes it since then with endless enthusiasm. On 26 July, our first opera and ballet theatre marked Mikis Theodorakis’s 95th anniversary with the spectacle “Zorba the Greek”. The Director of the Sofia Opera Academician Plamen Kartaloff sent a congratulatory letter to the great composer. Maestro Theodorakis replied to him:
“Dear Prof. Plamen Kartaloff,
I am very glad and moved to send you my most cordial congratulations for the spectacle of “Zorba”. I would like also to send my sincere gratitude to the audience, the musicians, the members of the chorus, the soloists, the conductor and especially to the people, who took the initiative for this spectacle and who are responsible for the organization.
I always remember with great excitement the days, which I spent in your hospitable country, the dozens of concerts and the endless hours, which I spent with your wonderful musicians in preparation of my opera “Elektra”.
But what I am keeping specially in my heart is the warmth and love of the Bulgarian people for my music. The proof for this fact is the presentation of my ballet “Zorba” during the years. A result of the terrific meeting of my music with your excellent dancers and colleagues from the Sofia Opera, who were presenting this work during 25 years in Bulgaria or at guest performances abroad.
Because of all these reasons, I will be with you at this spectacle even from afar and with all my mental powers.
I would like to finish this letter with great “THANK YOU” and my most warm wishes to all of you!”, wrote the composer.
The favourite ballet “Zorba the Greek” will be performed also during the new season at the Sofia Opera by observing all measures for safety of the spectators.
