Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova is a guest at the performance of the Sofia Opera and Ballet tonight in Skopje, reports BGNES.
At her first public appearance, Siljanovska watched the Bulgarian performance of the opera "Die Walküre". Before that, she met with the director of the Sofia Opera and Ballet, Plamen Kartalov.
Siljanovska said that cultural diplomacy is more powerful than traditional diplomacy. She pointed out that she was very familiar with Kartalov's work and had come to admire the premiere.
The Director of the Bulgarian Cultural Centre in Skopje, Antonia Veleva, said that "thanks to the support of both the Ministries of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia, and the Bulgarian Cultural Information Centre in Skopje. in Skopje we have the opportunity to welcome the Sofia Opera and Ballet with this huge production, which is the highlight of the overall programme of the May Opera Nights".
A team of more than 130 Bulgarian soloists, orchestra and ballet came to the Macedonian capital and aroused huge interest - the hall was completely sold out.
The performance takes place at the National Opera and Ballet in Skopje, as part of the 52nd edition of the May Musical Evenings from 9 to 31 May. It was the most anticipated moment in the cultural programme.
Kartalov earlier presented the Bulgarian performance to the Macedonian media.
"It is my pride and joy to present our Bulgarian Wagner on the stage of the Macedonian Opera and Ballet. The honour to hear Wagner here for the first time has fallen not to a German but to a Bulgarian theatre," he said.
"Die Walküre" is inspired by medieval legends of the wise Erda and the Song of the Nibelungs. The opera was first performed in Munich on June 26, 1870.
The performance was directed by Plamen Kartalov. The conductor is Evan-Alexis Christ, the set designer is Hans Kudlich, and the costumes are by Christian Mikhaleva-Zorbalieva.
The main roles in "Die Walküre" are performed by Mariana Tsvetkova - Fricka, Thomas Hall - Wotan, Martin Iliev - Siegmund, Angel Hristov - Hunding, Gergana Rusekova - Brünnhilde, Tsvetana Bandalowska - Sieglinde.
The event is organized with the support of the Ministries of Culture of Bulgaria and North Macedonia, and the partner is the Bulgarian Cultural Information Centre in Skopje.
The May Opera Nights opened with the premiere of Verdi's Il Trovatore, directed by Ivan Popovski.
The National Opera and Ballet of Northern Macedonia will be visiting Sofia in September. /BGNES
