ELEKTRA

111 years after its world premiere in Dresden, Elektra has been staged in Bulgaria for the first time. With this production, the Sofia Opera joins the ranks of the world’s most prestigious opera houses that include Richard Strauss’ modernist masterpiece in their repertoire. This exceptional Sofia production will grace the festival stage in Bydgoszcz—an event not to be missed!

The idea for the production came from Plamen Kartaloff, the director of Sofia Opera, who has staged over 180 opera productions spanning different eras—from Baroque and Classicism to Romanticism and contemporary works. In his direction of Elektra, Kartaloff introduces the characters into new dimensions of this multi-layered story of revenge and hatred. All solo roles are performed by Bulgarian singers, whose exceptional artistry has been highly praised. The role of Elektra, known as one of the most demanding and vocally strenuous parts in the entire operatic repertoire, was especially acclaimed shortly after the premiere. Guest conductor Evan–Alexis Christ also commended the outstanding performance of the orchestra, which masterfully navigated Strauss’ complex and richly textured score.

It is worth mentioning that preparations for the Sofia premiere took place during the Covid-19 pandemic, coinciding with the 130th anniversary of Bulgaria’s first opera theater.