«Nabucco» Closes the «Opera at the Sanctuary» Festival in Burgas

The sixth edition of the "Opera at the Sanctuary" festival, organized by the State Opera - Burgas in partnership with the Municipality of Primorsko, is about to reach its culmination. The final and long-awaited event on the program is the performance of Giuseppe Verdi's immortal masterpiece - "Nabucco." After a series of four extremely successful productions, which enjoyed a full house, expectations for the final evening are huge.

The festival triumphs with packed venues

The success of this year's edition of the "Opera at the Sanctuary" festival is undeniable. The first four titles – "Samson and Delilah" on July 26, "Il trovatore" on August 2, "Rigoletto" on August 9, and "Aida" on August 16 – attracted a full capacity audience, a testament to the growing interest in classical music outdoors. The natural backdrop of the Thracian sanctuary Begliktash, charged with mysticism and magnetism, proved to be the ideal stage for combining nature and art.

On August 23, Saturday, at 8:30 PM, amid the majestic stone blocks of the ancient megalithic complex, this beloved opera title will once again be presented. More than just a performance, the production promises to leave lasting emotional traces in the memory of the lucky ones who have the opportunity to relive the magic of the evening.

"Nabucco" – a message beyond time

Verdi's opera tells the dramatic story of the cruel Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, his imperious daughter Abigaille, the high priest Zaccaria, and the lovers Fenena and Ismaele. It's a tale of power, love, faith, and the search for redemption. Under the baton of the distinguished guest conductor Prof. Dr. Grigor Palikarov, the performance will come to life against the backdrop of the picturesque space under the stars.

The angelic-voiced soloists and choir, accompanied by the orchestra, will recreate not only the story but also its universal messages. The iconic "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves" – a kind of anthem to the fusion of Nature and Music – is expected to sound with all its nostalgic sadness, but also with the omnipresent power of hope that it carries.

The director of the festival program's productions, adapted for the open-air stage of the sanctuary, is Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Tekeliev. The assistant directors for "Nabucco" are Lina Peeva and Petar Tiholov. The choirmaster is Aleksandar Chepanov, and the choreography is by Galina Kalcheva. The costumes are created by Denis Ivanov, and the concertmaster is Hristo Belchev.

World-class cast

On the stage among the rocky relics of Begliktash, renowned opera singers will perform, ready to enter the deep and complex images of the characters. The audience will have the opportunity to enjoy their strong artistic presence, enhanced by the visual magic of the megaliths, illuminated with colorful hues that complement the emotional states of the characters.

• Nabucco – the role of the Babylonian king, who undergoes dramatic metamorphoses, is entrusted to the baritone Maryan Jovanoski. He already gave brilliant performances in this year's productions of "Rigoletto" and "Aida."
• Abigaille – the soprano Yoana Zhelezcheva will step into the psychologically complex role of the imperious daughter, who was a wonderful Aida in the eponymous opera on August 16.
• Zaccaria – the impressive bass Diman Panchev will raise a powerful voice in the role of the High Priest of the Hebrews.
• Ismaele – the young Yani Nikolov will recreate the image of the Hebrew, in love with the Babylonian princess, with a strong emotional presence and a beautiful velvet timbre.
• Fenena – the mezzo-soprano Yoana Kadiyska will charm the audience with her beauty and voice.

The roles of the High Priest of the Babylonians, Anna, and Abdallo will be played respectively by bass Kostadin Mechkov, soprano Nona Krastnikova, and tenor Milen Dinolov.

Perfect symbiosis between music and nature

Prof. Dr. Grigor Palikarov, who was a true master behind the conductor's stand for "Samson and Delilah" and "Aida," will once again lead the orchestra with skill and inspiration. The musicians are expected to build a complete line of sound, from the quietest nuances to the bursting crescendos and fortes. The choir of the Burgas Opera, conducted by Aleksandar Chepanov, is also expected to achieve a balanced and impressive sound.

The organization of the event is at an exceptionally high level, from the preparation of the difficult terrain to the logistics provided by the Municipality of Primorsko. Everything is tailored to the needs of the visitors to ensure maximum comfort and make the experience under the stars of Strandzha unforgettable. The organizers hope that on the last night of the festival, the stars in the clear sky will also favor the happening of the mystery at the ancient sanctuary.