In 2014 the 31st edition of the traditional Verdi festival of State opera – Plovdiv will take place at the Ancient theater of the city but with new artistic concept and under a new name - SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL AT THE ANCIENT THEATER 2014 - OPERA OPEN

In the middle of the summer the Ancient Roman theater becomes the stage for the operas of the great Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. This event is emblematic for Plovdiv and is eagerly anticipated by the audience and media.

In 2014 the guests of the festival will be treated to a rich program including three opera premieres by Verdi – “La Traviata”, “Don Carlos” and “Aida”; two ballet spectacles – “Gershwin and Chopin” feat. ballet National opera Sofia and “Carmina Burana” feat. ballet Arabesk; and two Gala concerts celebrating 100 years of the great Bulgarian opera singer Boris Hristov and 200 years of the great composer Richard Wagner.

Special guest stars of the festival are the world famous opera singers:

PAATA BURDZHULADZE – regular guest of La Scala, The Met, Bolshoy, Covent Garden etc.

ELIZABET STRID – soloist of the Wagner opera festival Beyreuth and the National opera of Chicago

HUI HE – opera soprano who comes to Plovdiv directly from Arena di Verona