La Boheme - Bulgarian State Academic Opera
Program Information Bulgarian State Academic Opera Synopsis Biographies
IVAN KYURKCHIEV, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
OPERA IN FOUR ACTS BY GIACOMO PUCCINI
TEXT BY GIUSEPPE GIACOSA AND LUIGI ILLICA
The Cast:
Mimì: Galina Stoyanova
Rodolfo: Simone Angippi, Orlin Goranov
Marcello: Ivan Kabamitov
Schaunard: Bisser Georgiev
Musetta: Dessislava Stefanova
Colline: Alexandar Marulev, Diman Panchev
Benoît: Pavel Gerdjikov
Alcindoro: Pavel Gerdjikov
Conductor: Nayden Todorov, Bojidar Bonev
Stage director: Prof. Pavel Gerdzhikov
Set designer: Ivan Yordanov
Costume Designer: Ivan Yordanov
BULGARIAN STATE ACADEMIC OPERA
Established in 1996 by Ivan Kyurkchiev, the Bulgarian State Academic Opera is based on the great traditions of the art of opera in Bulgaria and presents unique productions combining the best of the opera worlds of Bulgaria and all of Europe.
The performances of Bulgarian State Academic Opera are co-productions of the major opera houses of Bulgaria, theatres where many eminent singers have started their world careers, including Gena Dimitrova, Stefka Evstatieva, Vesselina Katsarova, Nikolay Gyaurov and many others. It speaks for itself that the world-renowned singers including Orlin Anastassov and Dario Volonte made their debuts in the productions of the Bulgarian State Academic Opera, productions which were later presented throughout Europe on tour. The company collaborates not only with Bulgarian opera theatres and symphony orchestras (among which are the Sofia National Opera, Sofia Radio Orchestra and Mixed Choir, Sofia Symphony Orchestra, Plovdiv Opera and Philharmonic Society, Varna Opera and Philharmonic Society, Burgas Opera and Philharmonic Society, and the Stara Zagora Opera Theater), but also with opera houses from Bucharest (Romania), Budapest (Hungary), Chisinau (Moldovia), Kiev (Ukraine), Theatre Nemirovich-Danchenko (Russia) and many others.
The rapid artistic and professional development of the company was mostly due to the direction from the beginning of such distinguished conductors as Metodi Matakiev, Luciano di Martino, Hristo Ignatov; stage directors including Kuzman Popov, Pavel Gerdjikov and choreographers Krzyzstof Pastor and Craig Revel Horwood. The Bulgarian State Academic Opera’s roster of distinguished singers, its impressive choir, ballet and orchestra has obtained an interpretive maturity in many different styles. The members of the orchestra, choir and ballet were carefully selected from among the best Bulgarian musicians, singers and dancers.
Rich in its genre, the repertoire of the Bulgarian State Academic Opera includes a wide spectrum of opera works: Otello, Nabucco, Aida, Turandot, Il Trovatore, Tosca, La Boheme, Rigoletto, Gioconda, Carmina Burana (in a staged production), Don Carlo, La Traviata, Lucia di Lammermoor, Un Ballo in Maschera and productions of the Mozart and Verdi Requiems, among other works.
The international stature of the Bulgarian State Academic Opera is demonstrated by the company’s participation in the thrilling “super-productions” of La Traviata at the München Olympiahalle in December 2001, Carmen in Arnhem, Nabucco and Rigoletto in Rotterdam and Aida at the Arena auf Schalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, as well as acclaimed productions at the Stade de France in Paris in September 2001, and the Grosse Festspielehalle in Salzburg in January 2002.
The open-air performances given by the Bulgarian State Academic Opera across Europe deserve special mention among the company’s activities. Most memorable was the presentation of Aida at the unique natural stage of Castelgrande (“The Great Castle”) in Bellinzona, Switzerland during its Third Opera Festival. The performance took place with the participation of the State Philharmonic Orchestra and the massive choir of the Opera House of Plovdiv under the baton of Italian maestro Luciano di Martino and featuring soloists Orlin Anastassov, Bojko Tsvetanov and Emilia Boteva.
The creative achievements of the Bulgarian State Academic Opera have also gained international recognition on many more of the world’s most prestigious opera stages, including Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Solingen, Remscheid and Schweinfurt (Germany), Salzburg (Austria), Zurich (Switzerland), Lisbon and Oporto (Portugal), Madrid and Valencia (Spain). The company undertakes its fourth tour of the United States of America under the auspices of Columbia Artists Management, Inc. in Autumn 2005. The company begins its third tour of the United States of America under the auspices of Columbia Artists Management, LLC in September 2005.
ACT I. Paris, Christmas Eve, c. 1830. In their Latin Quarter garret, the painter Marcello and poet Rodolfo try to keep warm by burning pages from Rodolfo's latest drama. They are joined by their comrades — Colline, a young philosopher, and Schaunard, a musician who has landed a job and brings food, fuel and funds. While they celebrate their unexpected fortune, the landlord, Benoît, arrives to collect the rent. Plying Benoît with wine, they urge him to tell of his flirtations, then throw him out in mock indignation. As the friends depart for a celebration at the nearby Café Momus, Rodolfo promises to join them soon, staying behind to finish writing an article. There is another knock: a neighbor, Mimì, says her candle has gone out on the drafty stairs. Offering her wine when she feels faint, Rodolfo relights her candle and helps her to the door. Mimì realizes she has dropped her key, as the two search for it both candles are blown out. In the moonlight the poet takes the girl's shivering hand, telling her his dreams. She then recounts her solitary life of embroidering flowers and waiting for spring. Drawn to each other, Mimì and Rodolfo leave for the café.
ACT II. Amid shouts of street hawkers, Rodolfo buys Mimì a bonnet near the Café Momus before introducing her to his friends. They all sit down and order supper. A toy vendor, Parpignol, passes by and is besieged by children. Marcello's former lover, Musetta, enters ostentatiously on the arm of the elderly, wealthy Alcindoro. Trying to regain the painter's attention she sings a waltz about her popularity. Complaining that her shoe pinches Musetta sends Alcindoro to fetch a new pair, and falls into Marcello's arms. Joining a group of marching soldiers, the Bohemians leave Alcindoro to face the bill when he returns.
ACT III. At dawn on the snowy outskirts of Paris a Customs Officer admits farm women to the city. Musetta and revelers are heard inside a tavern. Mimì walks by searching for the place where the reunited Marcello and Musetta now live. When the painter emerges she pours out her distress over Rodolfo's incessant jealousy. “It is best we part”, she says. Rodolfo, who has been asleep in the tavern, is heard. Mimì hides and Marcello thinks she has left. The poet tells Marcello he wants to separate from his fickle sweetheart. Pressed further, he breaks down, saying Mimì is dying; her ill health can only worsen in the poverty they share. Overcome, Mimì stumbles forward to bid her lover farewell as Marcello runs back into the tavern to investigate Musetta's raucous laughter. While Mimì and Rodolfo recall their happiness, Musetta quarrels with Marcello. The painter and his mistress part in fury, but Mimì and Rodolfo decide to remain together until spring.
ACT IV. Some months later, Rodolfo and Marcello lament their loneliness in the garret. Colline and Schaunard bring a meager meal. The four stage a dance, which turns into a mock fight. The merrymaking is ended when Musetta bursts in, saying Mimì is downstairs, too weak to climb up. As Rodolfo runs to her, Musetta tells how Mimì has begged to be taken to her lover to die. While Mimì is made comfortable, Marcello goes with Musetta to sell her earrings for medicine, and Colline leaves to pawn his cherished overcoat. Alone - Mimì and Rodolfo recall their first days together, but she is seized with coughing. When the others return, Musetta gives Mimì a muff to warm her hands and prays for her life. Mimì dies quietly, and when Schaunard discovers she is dead, Rodolfo runs to her side, calling her name.
Ivan Kyurkchiev, Artistic Director
Ivan Kyurkchiev pursued his studies at the Teatro alla Scala under the legendary Giulieta Simeonato and Giuseppe di Stefano. In 1984 he became a laureate of the International Tenor Competition “Enrico Caruso” in Milan, Italy, and during that same year began his international career as an opera singer. Mr. Kyurkchiev has since performed in such hystoric theatres as the Arena di Verona, Torre del Lago, Teatro La Fenice (Venice), Teatro San Carlo (Naples), the Bolshoi Theatre (Moscow), the State Opera of Budapest, and Carnegie Hall (New York).
In 1995 Mr. Kyurkchiev was appointed General Manager of the State Opera House in Rousse by the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture. Under his leadership the theatre gained international prestige on par with those of the greatest European opera stages.
In 1996 Mr. Kyurkchiev founded Opera Verdi Europa, which is now one of the leading opera companies in all of Bulgaria. Under Mr. Kyurkchiev’s direction, the company performs over seventy spectacular productions per year throughout the world.
Nayden Todorov, Conductor
Nayden Todorov was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. He received his first piano lessons at the age of five and at the age of sixteen led his first concert as a conductor. As a student, Todorov studied with Professor Alexandar Vladigerov in Sofia and later with Professor Karl Osterreicher in Vienna, graduating summa cum laude from the Dobrin Petkov Music Academy in Plovdiv. Soon after, he began studying conducting under Professor Uros Lajovic at the Music University in Vienna. After completing these studies he moved to Jerusalem where he continued his musical education, specializing in conducting with Professor Mendi Rondan, Music Director of the Israel Symphony Orchestra and Professor at the Rubin Academy of Music.
Mr. Todorov has won numerous awards and competitions, including the Svetovlav Obretenov National Competition, the Czech Music Competition, the Zdravko Manolov competition, Special Prize from the Slavakian Music Fund, and Gold Medal from the Borghese Foundation. He was also the recipient of the St. Kirill, Metody and Rotary Club–Vienna Scholarship and of the George Wachter Foundation scholarship in Switzerland.
Todorov was Principal Conductor of the Vratza Philahrmonic Orchestra between 1995 and 1997 and of the Sofia Festival Orchestra from 1997 - 1999. During the 1998-1999 season, he served as Resident Conductor of the Israel Northern Symphony Orchestra of Haifa, a position for which he was selected from a pool of over 150 conductors worldwide. Todorov has recorded over 100 CDs for RENT Music, MMO, Danacord, IMI and Hungarton, as well as numerous music productions for Bulgarian television and radio.
In addition to guest conducting major orchestras throughout Europe, Mr. Todorov has also participated in music festivals in Bulgaria, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the Slovak Republic and the United States. He is currently the Principal Conductor of Orchestra Europa, Music Director of the Vidin Philharmonic and Director of the Tracia International Summer Festival.
Bojidar Bonev, Conductor
Maestro Bonev is a first-prize winner of the International Conducting Competition “Silver Lyre” - twice, and a second-prize winner of the National Opera Competition for his production of “Norma”(1989). He graduated from the State Academy of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria (1968) with a degree in violin performance and later for orchestra conducting (1974). Maestro Bonev has also specialized in orchestra conducting at Academia Chigiana in Sienna, Italy. Since 1974 he is has been a principal conductor of the State Opera House from Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. His repertoire includes more than 70 operas, operettas, and ballet titles (that total more than 1300 performances) by classical Italian, French, German, Russian and Bulgarian composers.
Galina Ivanova Stoyanova, Soprano
Ms. Stoyanova, laureate of the Boris Christoff International Vocal Competition ‘04, is a native of Varna, Bulgaria. Her most recent performances include Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Die Erste Dame in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, performed in Madrid and Barcelona, Spain. Earlier in 2004, Ms. Stoyanova performed a solo concert for the “New Year Music Festival” at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, Bulgaria conducted by Maestro Emil Tabakov. Throughout her career she has performed such roles as Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Amelia (Un Ballo in Maschera), Leonora (Il Trovatore), Aida ( Aida), and Mimi (La Boheme). Ms. Stoyanova received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s from the National Academy of Music in Sofia, and her teachers have included both Rayana Kabaivanska and Ghena Dimitrova.
Simone Angippi, Tenor
Simone Angippi began his vocal studies at the Music Institute, “G.Donizetti”, in Bergamo, Italy under the guidience of the famous soprano I.Farina. He continued to refine his instrument at the Milan Conservatoire “G.Verdi” where he studied under the soprano M.T.Hayward. During that same period he attended the classes of D.Ucello, specializing in chamber music. Mr. Angippi went on to graduate from the Opera School in Staccarda, Germany, where he was awarded a special scholarship. Simone Angippi has also specialized with; C.Bergonzi in Academia Chigiana in Siena(Italy), Alfredo Kraus in Tatro alla Scala in Milan (Italy), with Katya Riciarelli in the Academy in Parma, and with Vittorio Terranova in Academy ISO in Deutschlandsberg (Austria).
Orlin Goranov, Tenor
A two time “Golden Orpheus” first place winner of the International Festival in Bulgaria (‘84, ‘99), Mr. Goranov is a laureate of several International festivals including: the Dresden Festival in German (‘81), “Bratisala Lyre” International Slovakia Vocal Festival (’82), and the Intertalent Festival in Prague, Czech Republic (‘83). He has been a soloist of the State Opera house in Plovdiv, Bulgaria since 1999, and is a regular participant of both the Christmas and New Years Berliner Symphoniker concerts since 1991. Mr. Goranov has made numerous recordings for both the Bulgarian National Radio and for Bulgarian National Television. His repertoire includes: Verdi’s La Traviata – Alfredo, Ernani – Ernani, Puccini’s Tosca - Cavaradossi, Bizet’s Carmen – Don Jose, Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor – Edgardo, and Kurt Weil’s Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogany – Jimmy Mahony, among many others.
Bisser Georgiev, Baritone
In 1995, after receiving a Master’s Degree in classical singing from the Pancho Vladigerov State Academy of Music in Sofia, Biser Georgiev made his debut in Mozart’s Bastien and Bastienna (Germany). Since 1998 he has been a soloist with the Bulgarian National Opera House in Sofia and has appeared as a Guest Artist in Germany, Japan, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Italy, France, and the United States. Mr. Georgiev has performed the main baritone roles in several productions including: Rigoletto, Aida, La Traviata, Madame Butterfly, La Boheme, Carmen, Don Giovanni, and Il Barbiere di Seviglia.
Ivan Kabamitov, Baritone
A Laureate of the both the International Competition for Young Opera Singers “PALDIN” in Plovdiv, Bulgaria ‘02 and the XII International Competition for Young Singers “Boris Christoff” in Sofia, Bulgaria ‘00, Ivan Kabamitov has an a solid technique in Opera as well as in Art Song. A Native Bulgarian he has studied music at home and abroad. Mr. Kabamitov holds a degree in Opera Singing from the State Academy of Music in Sophia, Bulgaria and several international Specializations. His repetiore includes: Tonio in Il Pagliacci by Leoncavallo, Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni, Don Giovanni in Don Giovanni & Papageno in The Magic Flute by Mozart, & Jago in Otello by Verdi.
Dessislava Stefanova, Soprano
The Bulgarian soprano Dessislava Stefanova was born in 1974. At the age of 10 she began studying violoncello and had a number of stage performances in Bulgaria and abroad (Italy, France) with the symphony orchestra of her native town, Kyustendil. In 2000 she graduated with a degree in English and American studies, from the Sofia University, Bulgaria. She began singing lessons in 1998 entering the State Academy of Music in Sofia, under the tutelage prof. Blagovesta Karnobatlova. In 2002 she was a finalist at the Belvedere contest in Vienna. In 2004 she made her stage debut as The Queen of the Night, The Magic flute. The same year she had a number of stage performances as The Queen of the Night in Germany. Since 2004 she has been a soloist at the State Opera House, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, where her roles include: Gilda Rigoletto – Verdi, Julia La scala di seta – Rossini, Rosina, Il barbiere di Seviglia – Rossini, and Musetta La Boheme - Puccini. Her repertoire includes: Lucia di Lammermoor – Donizetti, Adele in Die Fledermaus - J. Strauss, and Cunegonde in Candide - Bernstein.Alexander Marulev, Bass
A Laureate of both the International Opera Competition (Manfredonia, Italy ‘90) and the International Competition for Young Opera Singers (Sirmione, Italy ’91), Mr. Marulev has been a Soloist for the Bulgarian State Opera House Since 1979. He has performed internationally in many countries including: Germany, Spain Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Italy, France, England, Greece, Russia, and the United States. Mr. Marulev holds a Master’s Degree in Opera Singing from the State Academy of Music in Sophia, Bulgaria, and three certificates in Opera Singing and Interpretation from: Prof. Kim Bjorg (Weimar, Germany), Prof Iliya Yosifov, and from Boris Christoff (the Academy of Arts and Culture in Rome, Italy). His repertoire includes: Verdi’s Attila, La Forza del Destino, Un Ballo in Maschera, The Requiem; Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Musorgsky’s Boris Godunov, Bizet’s Pearl Fishers, and Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffman.
Diman Panchev, Bass
Mr. Panchev made his operatic debute as Zaestro in Mozart’s Magic Flute with the National Opera in Sophia, Bulgaria (’91). He is a First Prize winner of the International Vocal Competition “Callosa del Saria” (Alicante, Spain ‘98). Mr. Panchev has performed as a Guest Artist in houses and festivals around the world including: Teatro Carre (Amsterdam), The Ravinia Festival (IL, USA), Opera Festival in Bellinzona (Switzerland), Grosses Festspielhaus (Salzburg, Austria), and in Concert w/ Nikolay Gedda in Ossiach (Austria). His repertoire includes: Verdi’s Don Carlos, Rigoletto & Nabucco; Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Seviglia; & Mozart’s Requiem. Mr. Panchev has made several recordings including a 1997 solo recording available on Artenova - LC 3480 and a Liturgical Songs CD on München JMP - LC 8870.
Prof. Pavel Gerdzhikov, Director/Tenor
The art of Pavel Gerdzhikov stands at the height of Bulgarian musical culture. His creative talent and versatility fosters his enduring musical achievements. Gerdzhikov’s absolute devotion to his career as an opera singer, director, pedagogue, public figure and publicist, coupled with his remarkable professionalism, breathe life into his rich creative work. Professor Gerdzhikov graduated from the State Academy of Music in Sofia in the class of Prof. Ana Todorova, Prof. Ilia Yossifov and Prof. Lyubomir Pipkov. He became a laureate of the Enesco and Erkel Competitions and a First Prize winner of the Second Competition for Young Opera Singers in Sofia. Tours with the cast of the Sofia National Opera House have won him enormous public recognition, as have his guest performances at the Salzburg and Glyndebourne Festivals, the Nancy and Reims Theatres, including numerous other concerts throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America. Professor Gerdzhikov has also an active participant on recordings. He lectures on acting and stage direction at the Sofia Academy of Music, where he is currently a professor.