site.btaDaniel Oren Returns to Sofia Opera with Verdi's Requiem

Conductor Daniel Oren will return to lead Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem on November 15, the Sofia Opera and Ballet announced here on Wednesday. This follows the season's opening in September with Puccini's Turandot, directed by Plamen Kartaloff.

Oren, ranked high among contemporary conductors, arrives in Sofia after performances in South Korea and symphonic concerts in Vienna. He is scheduled to proceed to Bologna for a series of productions of Leoncavallo's Pagliacci.

Verdi's Requiem is noted for its dramatic elements that transcend traditional sacred music conventions. Oren noted that Verdi’s Requiem embodies a depth that transcends religious boundaries. He points out that, in 1874, Verdi was at his most distant from religious faith, yet his composition offers a universal space for prayer, resonating with individuals of all backgrounds—Christian, Jewish, Muslim—providing a shared solace in times of solitude.

The performance will feature the Sofia Opera's orchestra and choir, conducted by Violeta Dimitrova, along with four internationally acclaimed soloists. 

Soprano Mariangela Sicilia, praised by Le Monde as a "miracle of vocal firmness" and by Der Tagesspiegel for a “soprano that shines like the Provençal morning sun,” has performed at the Paris Opera, La Scala, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and Salzburg Festival.

Mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk, known for Verdi and Russian roles, has appeared at Covent Garden, the Paris Opera, the Met, and festivals in Salzburg and Verbier.

Tenor Stefan Pop, who won both the Operalia and Seoul competitions in 2010, debuted in The Elixir of Love in Timisoara and now performs worldwide.

Bass Dmitry Ulyanov, a top Russian opera talent, will perform in Vienna, Rome, and Sofia this season and is a soloist at Moscow’s Stanislavsky Theatre.

Verdi’s Requiem, known for its patriotic and spiritual depth, will be performed on November 15 at 7 p.m. at the Sofia Opera and Ballet House.