The Apollonia Amphitheater in Sozopol became the epicenter of a true musical event when the concert "One Night at the Opera with the Music of Queen" was held as part of the 41st Apollonia Arts Festival. The audience, who filled the amphitheater to capacity, had the opportunity to experience a symphonic transformation of the most iconic hits of the legendary British band.
The musicians of the supergroup "The Foundation"—Dobrin Vekilov - Doni (vocals, bass guitar, piano, guitar), Slavcho Nikolov from B.T.R. (vocals, guitar), Venko Poromanski from "Te" (drums), and Mihail Shishkov - Jr.—took to the stage. They were joined by the orchestra and choir of the Plovdiv State Opera, under the baton of Konstantin Dobroykov, creating a unique blend of classical power and rock energy. The evening was dedicated to the intertwining of genres, presenting 20 of Queen's most beloved songs in a new, stunning arrangement.
The emotional peak of the evening was the performance of the famous duet "Barcelona," originally recorded by Montserrat Caballé and Freddie Mercury. On stage, the voice of Mercury himself, reproduced from a recording, joined soloist Vera Girginova, who embodied the opera diva. This was a moment of true reverence for the work of Queen's vocalist, and the enthusiastic applause of the audience filled the amphitheater. The soloist Slavin Slavchev also joined the event, completing the star formation.
Visibly moved by the atmosphere, Slavcho Nikolov made his tribute from the stage, stating: "For me, Apollonia is the best festival." These words echoed among the thousands of attendees who had come from all over Bulgaria and abroad to be part of the arts festival.
Apollonia Arts Festival
The Apollonia Arts Festival is a cultural event with a long and rich history, held annually since 1984. The organizer of the festival is the Apollonia Foundation, established in 1991. Each year, the stages in Sozopol become a center of attraction for hundreds of artists and thousands of art lovers. The festival's mission is to preserve Bulgarian cultural traditions and support rising talents in various fields:
- music
- theater
- literature
- cinema
- fine arts
This year's program includes over 70 events, turning Sozopol into a true cultural capital for several days. BTA is a media partner of the event.