Bulgaria Theodorakis, Zorba the Greek: Soloists, Corps de ballet of Sofia Opera and Ballet. ‘Muses on the Water’, Pancherovo Lake, Sofia, 16.7.2026. (GT)
Sofia Ballet’s exhilarating performance of Zorba the Greek is backed by world-class dancing
Sofia
Kartalov’s Cav & Pag proves a stunning triumph in Sofia’s Opera on the Square festival
Bulgaria Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana & Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci: Soloists, Children’s Choir of Bulgaria Radio, Chorus and Orchestra of Sofia Opera / Daniel Oren (conductor). Opera on the Square, Sofia, 15.7.2026. (GT)
Plamen Kartaloff’s revival of Wagner’s Ring cycle is an outstanding triumph at Sofia Opera
Bulgaria Wagner, Der Ring des Nibelungen: Singers, Chorus, Orchestra and Ballet of Sofia Opera and Ballet / Constantin Trinks (conductor). Sofia Opera, 26-31.5.2026. (GT)
The Bulgarian conductor Viliana Valtcheva leads a colourfully romantic programme in Sofia
Bulgaria Arutyunyan, Borodin, Smetana, Vladigerov: Tine Thing Helseth (trumpet), National Philharmonic Choir (choir director: Maria Valchanova), Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra / Viliana Valtcheva (conductor). Bulgaria Hall, Sofia, 28.5.2026. (GT)
Gregor Tassie in conversation with soprano Eleonora Djodjoska-Mladenova
Soprano Eleonora Djodjoska-Mladenova talks with Gregor Tassie
One highlight of the 2025 Wagner Festival in Sofia was the debut of young soprano Eleonora Djodjoska-Mladenova, who delivered a sensational Elisabeth in Plamen Kartaloff’s new Tannhäuser (review here). From first stepping on the stage, she seemed born for this role of an innocent girl falling in love. The singer from Northern Macedonia was acclaimed as an outstanding new star of the Sofia Opera. In 2026, reflecting Kartaloff’s trust, she was cast as the tragedienne Violetta Valéry — a role she triumphed in. Shortly after her La traviata debut (review here), I met with her to discuss her career to date.
Djodjoska-Mladenova and Anastasov are the stars in Sofia’s exciting revival of La traviata
Bulgaria Verdi, La traviata: Soloists, Ballet, Chorus and Orchestra of Sofia Opera and Ballet Theatre / Zhorzh Dimitrov (conductor). Sofia Opera Theatre, 8.4.2026. (GT)
Ventseslav Anastasov and Alessandra di Giorgio shine in Sofia Opera’s darkly satanic Macbeth
Bulgaria Verdi, Macbeth: Soloists, Boys’ Choir, Chorus and Orchestra of Sofia Opera and Ballet / Alessandro d’Agostino (conductor). Sofia Opera, 25.2.2026. (GT)
Sofia Opera’s open air Les Misérables is a spectacular triumph of wonderful singing and acting
Bulgaria Opera on the Square Summer Festival – Boublil and Schönberg, Les Misérables: Soloists, Choir and Orchestra of Sofia Opera and Ballet / Constantin Trinks (conductor). Alexander Nevsky Square, Sofia, 2.8.2025. (GT)
