State Opera Varna

The basis of the Varna Opera consisted of an opera troupe and a symphonic orchestra, founded on 1 April 1946. A year later, on 6 April 1947, the Varna Opera was created. Its first managing director was Stefan Nikolaev and its chief artistic director was the great Bulgarian tenor Petar Raychev (1887 1960). He was one of the first generation of Bulgarian singers with a world renowned career. Having graduated with honors from the Moscow Conservatory, he improved his vocal technique in Italy. He performed at La Scala in Milan, the Vienna State Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. The premiere of The Bartered Bride by Bedrich Smetana, conducted by his son Ruslan Raychev on 7 September 1947, marked the beginning of the professional opera art in Varna. The troupe was joined by Choirmaster Dimitar Mladenov and Ballet master Asen Manolov, artists Asen Popov and Vladimir Misin, a soloist group, a choir and a ballet. Till now the Varna Opera has staged over 200 productions, nearly 8,000 spec...