site.btaLuigi Cherubini's Opera "Médée" to Be Performed in Sofia for First Time

The Sofia Opera and Ballet House will present Médée by Luigi Cherubini for the first time on February 23, with follow-up shows on February 24 and 25, the institution said on Thursday.

The French-language opera of the Italian composer premiered in Paris on March 13, 1797. It was not performed in Italy until 112 years later, at Milan's La Scala.

Luigi Cherubini (1760-1842) has been described by his biographers as a great educator and the most remarkable composer of the period of the French Revolution. Born in Italy, he was based in France during most of his career and played an important role in the development of French opera. Cherubini wrote 21 operas, the best-known of them being Lodoïska and Médée (Medea).

The crew of the Médée production to be presented in Sofia includes conductor Francesco Rosa, director Marco Gandini, set designer Andrea Tocchio, costume designer Mario Dice and choreographer Lyudmila Ilieva.

Marco Gandini lives in Italy. He worked as an assistant to iconic Italian stage and film director Franco Zeffirelli and British opera director Graham Vick. He has worked at major Italian opera venues such as La Scala of Milan, the Rome Opera House, and the San Carlo Theatre in Naples.