The opera diva Aida Garifullina enchanted Plovdiv

Mayor of Plovdiv Kostadin Dimitrov and the director of Opera Plovdiv, Dian Tchobanov, inaugurated this year's edition of the International Opera Festival OPERA OPEN at the Ancient Theatre. With a dazzling concert GALA featuring the world-renowned opera diva Aida Garifullina and the orchestra of the State Opera Plovdiv, conducted by Maestro Dian Tchobanov, last night at the Ancient Theatre in Plovdiv, the annual international opera festival OPERA OPEN 2024 was inaugurated.

The special edition in 2024 includes two premiere productions featuring international artists – Bizet's opera "Carmen" and Prokofiev's ballet "Romeo and Juliet." Plovdiv Opera will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Puccini's death with "Turandot," and after a 5-year hiatus, one of the most emblematic and beloved operatic titles, "Aida," returns to the Ancient Theatre with enhanced scenic atmosphere and choreography. Fans of Verdi will enjoy the VIVA VERDI performance with selected scenes from the most famous operas by the Italian composer. The OPERA OPEN 2024 program also includes performances for operetta and musical enthusiasts. Among the titles are "Jesus Christ Superstar" by Andrew Lloyd Webber and the VIVA L’OPERETTA, VIVA L’OPERA show with guest soloists from European operetta theatres. In the year of Raina Kabaivanska, OPERA OPEN 2024 concludes with a Gala in her honor, featuring stars from her international masterclasses, who are already building successful careers.

"This year, we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the largest cultural institution in Plovdiv - Plovdiv Opera. The slogan we have chosen is 'Opera is here!' - as a meaning and a message. It is here to connect the past and the future with the fragile and elusive Now. Opera is here to participate in the pulse of the city," recalled host Lili Burzeva before inviting Mayor of Plovdiv Kostadin Dimitrov and the director of the State Opera – Plovdiv – Dian Tchobanov to the stage.

"I thank all my colleagues, without exception, for the growth of the festival over the years. Heartfelt thanks for the tremendous support of the Plovdiv 2019 Foundation and the Municipality of Plovdiv, the Municipal Institute 'Ancient Plovdiv,' as well as our principal, the Ministry of Culture. Through our art, we strive to be worthy singers, leaders, and unifiers of society, to move together towards the beautiful, the better, the sublime. Singers, move forward! Your work is a mission, and it is important!" said Dian Tchobanov in his welcoming speech, wishing success to the festival.

"The OPERA OPEN 2024 festival, which starts tonight, marks two important anniversaries - 70 years of Plovdiv Opera and 10 years since the festival's inception, and this year's edition features strong international participation and a wonderful program. I am happy that the modern vision of Plovdiv Opera and the high professional level have led to such a large audience and have become the basis of international opera tourism. As the mayor of the oldest living city in Europe, I cannot help but share that our cultural institutions have long surpassed the national level, exceed national scales, and achieve new and new successes. And I am sure you will agree with me. This year's edition is under the motto 'Opera is here!' Because it is life, it is thought, it is communication. Opera is here – in our hearts, in its city. I am sure the program will be the best so far, as you promised. I wish you success, and the audience unforgettable experiences. Right here, because 'Opera is here!'", said Mayor of Plovdiv Kostadin Dimitrov in his speech.

The team of Plovdiv Opera received a congratulatory address from Minister of Culture Nayden Todorov, as well as numerous flower baskets from institutions and admirers of opera art. Opera prima Aida Garifullina, one of the most exciting and current opera stars, captivated and enchanted Plovdiv. The soprano is a regular guest artist at the most prestigious opera houses and concert halls in the world – Royal Opera House in London, La Scala in Milan, the Metropolitan Opera (New York), Grand Opera (Paris), Arena di Verona (Italy), and Salzburg Festival.

Aida Garifullina was born in 1987 in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan. Her first lessons came from her mother, who is a choir conductor and pianist. Her first stage appearance was at the age of 5. At the age of 18, she decided to follow her dream and moved to Nuremberg, where she began studying music. In 2007, she joined the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts under Claudia Visca. Two years later, young Aida debuted as Despina in the university production of Mozart's Così fan tutte. After graduating in 2011, she participated in the closing ceremony of the XXVI Summer Universiade in Shenzhen. At that time, she also had the great opportunity to perform a duet with Alessandro Safina in Kazan.

Her global career began with winning Placido Domingo's Operalia competition, and her talent and fame brought her together with opera stars such as Andrea Bocelli, Anna Netrebko, Juan Diego Florez, and others, as well as pop scene and cinema stars like Robbie Williams and Meryl Streep. In 2013 and 2014, she shared the stage with some of the icons of the music industry, including Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, and in 2015, she signed a recording contract with Decca Records. In February 2017, she released her self-titled album, which includes 15 arias recorded with the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra. Since the beginning of the 2014-2015 season, Aida has been a member of the Vienna State Opera. Her solo album "AIDA" won the award for "Best Solo Album of the Year" (ECHO). She was nominated for a Grammy for her performance in the 2017 recording of Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Golden Cockerel."

Today, Aida Garifullina continues to win the hearts of more and more people worldwide with her incredible voice, exceptional beauty, and charisma, and her face graces the covers of dozens of fashion magazines. Photographer: Alexander Bogdan Thompson