CHRISTMAS IMPRESSIONS

"Christmas Impressions" with the music of Monteverdi, Purcell and Handel are "painted" with voice and sound by the soloists of the State Opera-Stara Zagora Petya Petrova /mezzo-soprano/ and Yanitsa Nesheva /soprano/ and the chamber orchestra composed of: Konstantin Kosev - violin, Milena Dimova - violin, Yulia Kirova - viola, Ana Mihaylova - cello, Stanislav Georgiev - double bass, Manuela Manolova - cembalo, Atsufumi Ujiye - percussion, flute block. The conductor of the concert is Viktor Krumov. The programme includes arias and duets from the operas "The Coronation of Popeye", "Julius Caesar", "Xerxes", "Dido and Aeneas", etc.

Monteverdi, Purcell and Handel are the greatest and most distinguished, and also the most modern composers of their time. They created the benchmarks of baroque music. In Baroque aesthetics, the heroes in operas were legendary kings or mythological figures. Emotions are taken to extremes and excess. Love and hate are absolute and unambiguous. When one loves, one loves to life and death.

Some of the finest music of the Baroque era has been selected for the concert programme. Baroque music requires a different singing technique from contemporary practice, different - phrasing and sensitivity. That is why it is very rare to reach for this repertoire in Bulgaria today. It is distinguished by great variation and technical virtuosity, which are very impressive. Fortunately, theatres around the world are increasingly returning to works from this period and there is a so-called 'Baroque revival' due to the great interest of the public. Special arrangements have been made for some of the works by Viktor Krumov and Konstantin Kossev.

"I was provoked by Petya Petrova to do this concert. At the beginning of its preparation I had worries how it would turn out. For this repertoire it is necessary to prepare seriously, to make consultations with specialists in baroque music. This music is a challenge for me, with it I discover for myself many new sensations and satisfaction"

Yanitsa Nesheva

"I have some experience in baroque music. I have sung in the opera Julius Caesar by G.F. Handel in Barcelona with many famous performers. But for the first time in this concert I will perform Monteverdi's works. Yanitsa Nesheva and I have been a duet-tandem for a long time and we have more plans for future joint projects."

Petya Petrova

Premiere on 27 December 2020.