site.btaAustrian Baritone Thomas Weinhappel Says Director Kartaloff Created Unique Production of Lohengrin, Better than One in Vienna

In an interview with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), Austrian baritone Thomas Weinhappel expressed his joy that he'll be making his debut at the Sofia Opera with the forthcoming premiere of the production of Lohengrin by opera director Acad. Plamen Kartaloff. "He is one of the people who really know what Wagner means," said the baritone. 

On June 23 the soloist will perform for the first time on the biggest Bulgarian opera stage. Weinhappel is adamant that the Acad. Kartaloff has created a unique production, better than the one in Vienna.

"Kartaloff has a special feel that he has worked so hard for over the years, every step, every look. He gave us pointers that were really, really special," Weinhappel said. The Austrian pointed out that Wagner really wanted to make the world a better place and give his philosophical idea to everyone. "You don't have to understand the language, there is another, higher level here - the level of the music. It has to be felt. He wanted to say everything through music, although before he started composing he wanted to be a writer. Words were much more important to him," the baritone said. With a smile, he noted that in order to enjoy Wagner, you first have to do your homework, as he did.

The premiere of the romantic opera Lohengrin will mark the beginning and the end of the Wagner Festival at the Sofia Opera and Ballet. This is an opera of light and optimism, said the director, Acad. Plamen Kartaloff. "This is a composer who says everything - like a prophet, because his music is prophetic. He takes a leap into the future - so that he can open the hearts and souls of people who will look to a worldly work of art in a way that they themselves will express their attitudes and needs," Kartaloff added.

For almost half a year Bulgarian soprano Anna Tomova-Sintova has been working mainly online with singers on their stylistic preparation. "I invited her because there is no other interpreter and colleague of our artists more philosophically committed to this music. She worked effectively with our performers, sometimes for six or seven hours a day," said Kartaloff.

The opera prima offered maestro Kostadin Andreev for the role of Lohengrin. "According to her, my voice and my way of singing is very suitable for this role. Our preparation was very long, in several stages," Andreev told BTA. He is part of the first cast of the show.

The second cast, besides Weinhapel, features also Simon O'Neill, Bjarni Thor Kristinsson, Radostina Nikolaeva, Kalin Dushkov, Gabriela Georgieva, Atanas Mladenov. Conductor is Evan-Alexis Christ, conductor of the choir is Violeta Dimitrova, head of scenography is Hans Kudlich, in collaboration with Sven Jonke, Gudrun Geiblinger, Nela Stoyanova and Christian Stoyanov. The costumes are by Mario Dice.