Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Charles Gounod's masterpiece Faust premieres in Varna

Photo: operavarna.com

Bulgarian Vera Nemirova – one of the brightest names in contemporary opera directing in Europe – has long lived and worked in Germany. For several years now, she has been a regular guest at the State Opera-Varna, and she recently began rehearsals in Bulgaria’s seaside capital for Faust – the most popular opera by Charles Gounod, with a pre-premiere scheduled for May 30.

Vera Nemirova

The new production by Svetoslav Borisov (permanent guest conductor of the Varna Opera and Principal Conductor and Deputy Music Director at the Magdeburg Opera) and Vera Nemirova marks the third staging of Faust in Varna’s history, following two legendary productions: by Yosko Yosifov and Mihail Hadzhimishev in 1955, and by Vladi Anastasov and Kuzman Popov in 1974.

Vera Nemirova’s team includes prominent artists: the set design is by Olga von Wahl from Germany, and the costumes are by Youliyan Tabakov. The role of Doctor Faust will be performed by Filipino American tenor Arthur Espiritu and Reinaldo Droz, who was among the students from the master classes of Raina Kabaivanska. The role of Mephistopheles will be sung by two world-renowned bassos – Deyan Vachkov and Martin Tsonev, while the role of Marguerite is being prepared by three captivating sopranos – Ilina Mihaylova, Irina Zhekova and Zhanna Kostova.

Youliyan Tabakov, Vera Nemirova and  Olga von Wahl

The production also includes students from the Varna Children’s and Youth Opera, who frequently appear in Nemirova’s productions. According to the director, Faust represents “the searching human being”. She compares Goethe’s character to every individual because “within each of us, there is a Faust searching for the meaning of life.”

Edited by Tsvetana Toncheva

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov

Photos: operavarna.com



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Nostalgia flows gently through Ostava’s latest release Spomen

Ostava's latest single, “Spomen” (“Memory”), leans into the band's signature introspection, offering a melancholic yet rhythmically driven glimpse of what’s to come from their next studio album. While their previous track, 'Vinoven', pulsed with..

published on 6/5/25 10:35 AM

Renowned Wrocław Baroque Ensemble is visiting Sofia for the first time

Another exclusive music experience from the program of the European Music Festival in Sofia is expected on June 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Central Military Club. After the success at the International Music Festival "Varna Summer" in 2023,..

published on 6/4/25 5:55 PM

“Nothing More” or something more from DARA

DARA presents her latest song, "Nishto Poveche" (Nothing More).  The piece is in a ballad style that’s not particularly typical for her, but carries a powerful message and emotional impact. It was created during the Sofia Songwriting Camp by DARA..

published on 6/3/25 7:25 AM