Opera Open

Thracian Awards for Classical Music by Sonya Yoncheva

Bulgarian opera prima Sonya Yoncheva recognizes the most distinguished artists and institutions from Bulgaria and abroad. The event officially opens the Opera Open 2026 festival.

Dates and Tickets

Date

Day and Hour

Location

Labels

Availability and Tickets

23/06

Tuesday 21:00

Ancient Theatre

Opera Open

Ticket Offices

Dian Tchobanov

Conductor

Nikolina Kostova-Bogdanova

Художник на сценичната среда

guest

Sonya Yoncheva

Soprano

guest

Ekaterine Buachidze

mezzo-soprano

guest

Jakub Orliński

Countertenor

guest

Emanuil Ivanov

Piano

guest

Pacho Flores

Trumpet

guest

Marta Petkova

Prima ballerina

guest

Gabriela Georgieva

Soprano

guest

Dobrinka Tabakova

Composer

guest

Anna Tomova - Sintova

Soprano

Details

On 23 June, the unique Ancient Theatre of Plovdiv will host a glittering award ceremony and an elegant concert featuring the laureates of the first-ever Thracian Awards for Classical Music. The vision of opera prima Sonya Yoncheva is to promote the region of Thrace as a cradle of civilization, a place of historical memory, traditions, and prospects for future development.

Plovdiv, her hometown and a centre of rich cultural heritage, is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe and the only Bulgarian city so far to have held the title of European Capital of Culture. The historical lands of the Thracians are also connected with the myth of the legendary bard Orpheus, a figure celebrated in opera, literature and the visual arts, and a global symbol of excellence in singing and music-making—an inspiration behind the establishment of the Thracian Awards for Classical Music.

“My goal is to present to the world the deep roots of our culture, our most outstanding artists, and Bulgaria’s rightful place alongside the great traditions of classical art on a global scale. This initiative is the culmination of my many years of efforts through ‘Gala in Sofia’, the magazine Bulgarian Artist, and other formats through which my partners and I strive to build bridges between eras, genres, and people both in Bulgaria and around the world,” emphasized Sonya Yoncheva, who is the artistic director of the event and will also be among the performers in the gala concert.

The awards are planned to be presented annually and will recognize laureates in the following categories:

Debut of the Year Award
Young Artist of the Year Award
Soloist (Musician) of the Year Award
Ballet Artist of the Year Award
Singer of the Year Award
Female Singer of the Year Award
Director of the Year Award
Composer of the Year Award
Production of the Year Award
Opera Theatre of the Year Award
Lifetime Achievement in Classical Art Award

The award ceremony and performances by the laureates will take place live before an audience.

“For Opera Plovdiv, it is a true honour to stand alongside Sonya Yoncheva—our fellow citizen who has conquered the world’s greatest stages. When an artist of such stature remembers their roots and invests their authority in their hometown, it is an inspiration for all of us. I believe that with this ceremony we are not only opening the 13th edition of the festival in a brilliant way, but also further establishing it as an international platform where Bulgarian and international artists meet at the highest level,” said Maestro Dian Chobanov, Director of the State Opera Plovdiv and conductor of the gala concert for the first Thracian Awards for Classical Music.