site.btaArgentine Tenor and Conductor Jose Cura Speaks Ahead of Stara Zagora Opera Production of "Rigoletto"

“On March 28 and 29 you will see two performances that will be very intense emotionally. Not because the story of Rigoletto is emotional, but because all of us who are telling this story have immersed ourselves completely in this project," world-renowned Argentine tenor and conductor Jose Cura said on Friday during a press conference ahead of the premiere of "Rigoletto" by Giuseppe Verdi at the Stara Zagora Opera House.

Jose Cura will conduct the production during the two opening nights. He explained why he accepted to be part of the team. "Together we can do something special - orchestra, choir, soloists, opera theatre, entering a magical moment where the musicians are inspired during the rehearsals, it's very special - even just for that it's worth being here".

Cura also said that he did not hesitate to accept the invitation for “Rigoletto” because he knows the qualities of the director of the Opera in Stara Zagora Ognyan Draganov and defined him as an example of dedication to the profession and love for everything he does. 

Stara Zagora Mayor Zhivko Todorov also met with the famous conductor. "We are honoured to welcome Maestro Jose Cura, who will promote an important anniversary," said Mayor Zhivko Todorov and congratulated the team of the Stara Zagora State Opera on the upcoming 100th anniversary of the first opera house outside the capital. "The team is wonderful, and the whole city is proud of what you are doing. In spite of the difficult transitions over the years, the State Opera - Stara Zagora has been many times ahead of the development of all other institutions with its innovativeness, openness to European trends. I am convinced that culture is what leads the country forward and it is always ahead of everyone else," Todorov added.

“Maestro Jose Cura is our guest and I am extremely happy that we have with us an exceptional musician, a man of opera, carrying deep in his soul the energy and tradition", said  Stara Zagora Opera director Ognyan Draganov.

At the end of the meeting Zhivko Todorov presented a plaque with Dionysius to Maestro Jose Cura and wished him to leave with wonderful impressions of Stara Zagora, the Opera and the people of the city. 

Verdi’s “Rigoletto” is the first premiere in the jubilee year 2025 for the Stara Zagora Opera. The new production is the work of the world-renowned opera singer and conductor Jose Cura, the opera director Ognyan Draganov and the Romanian artist Catalin Ionescu-Arbore, who has created the costumes and set design.

A stellar cast will play the leading roles on the two opening nights: Kiril Manolov and Italian baritone Elia Fabbian will be in the role of Rigoletto, Emiliya Ivanova and Simona Kodeva (Gilda), Matteo Falcier and Boris Taskov (Duke of Mantua), Daniela Dyakova and Teresa Brakalova (Madalena), Aleksandar Marulev as Sparafucile, Momchil Karaivanov and Stoyan Buyukliev (Borsa), Zhivko Dobrev (Monterone).  The choir and orchestra of the State Opera - Stara Zagora will take part. The choirmasters are Mladen Stanev and Stefania Ruseva and the concertmaster is Paulina Zaharieva.

Rigoletto was first staged in Stara Zagora in June 1934.