Hamlet

Leo Hussain

British conductor Leo Hussain has established himself as a leading interpreter in his generation of Mozart, the second Viennese school, and great 20th century masterpieces, breathing life into new scores and bringing fresh perspective to programming the core romantic repertoire with his musical intellect and curiosity. He was formerly Music Director of the Opéra de Rouen and Salzburg Landestheater, and now conducts many of the world’s top orchestras and opera houses.

State Opera Ruse

State Opera Ruse is one of the most significant cultural phenomena in Bulgaria. Its creation was the result of a long cultural process that began in Ruse more than a decade before the liberation. A combination of the desire for artistic expression, a longing for beauty, and a thirst for high European culture has meant that the citizens of Ruse have imbued the opera with a formidable energy. This energy is still present today and, despite all the trials, the ups and downs of the city’s history and the turbulent history of the country, the people of Ruse will always seek beauty and never stop developing their skills and the talents of their children via the influences of Western Europe.

Ruse Symphony Orchestra

The Ruse Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1919 as a successor to the traditions of the symphonic work conducted in Ruse after the Liberation. The first concert of the Ruse Urban Philharmonic Orchestra took place on March 2, 1919. In the first 30 years of its existence, the orchestra underwent many metamorphoses, adapting to its funding opportunities and involvement in various organizations such as the Lyra Society and Opera Society. In 1947, the orchestra was nationalized and on January 4, 1948 performed its first concert as State Symphony Orchestra Ruse, conducted by Konstantin Iliev.

The Choir of the State Opera-Ruse

The Choir of the State Opera-Ruse dates back to 1949. In the years before, the choral parts in the first opera productions were performed by various choirs from the city of Ruse, known for its great tradition of choral art. It is significant that in the middle of the 20th century there were 28 functioning choirs in Ruse. Even today, one of the most famous Bulgarian choirs remains the Rousse mixed choirs “Danube Sounds” and “Professor Vasil Arnaudov.”

Omar Najmi

Praised for his “clarion, luxuriously Italianate voice,” tenor Omar Najmi enjoys a versatile career in opera and concert. A regular favorite at the Boston Lyric Opera, Najmi has been featured in over 15 of their productions including appearances as Nick in The Handmaid’s Tale, Vanya Kudrjas in Katya Kabanova, Beppe in Pagliacci, Goro in Madama Butterfly, Reverend Harrington in Lizzie Borden, and more. Recent and upcoming appearances include the title role in the world premiere of Hamlet (State Opera Ruse), Tito in La Clemenza di Tito and Rodolfo in La Boheme (Opera Steamboat), Alfredo in La Traviata (MassOpera), San Giovanni in La Resurrezione, and tenor soloist in St. John Passion (Emmanuel Music).

Brianna J. Robinson

Brianna J. Robinson, soprano, is a native of Ravenna OH. Recently, Robinson was named a finalist in the 2021 Benjamin Matthews Vocal Competition with Opera Ebony. She has been a Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artist with the Boston Lyric Opera since 2018. During her time with BLO, she has performed the role of Lucy in Spears’ Fellow Travelers, and covered three principal roles in The Handmaid’s Tale. In Boston, her most recent work includes singing the role of Florence Price in Florence Comes Home by Francine Trester with Shelter Music Boston, and being a featured soloist in the Boston Landmarks Orchestra 2020 and 2021 summer seasons.

Evan Bravos

Marked as a “young talent to watch” by the Chicago Tribune, Baritone Evan Bravos has received critical acclaim for his “lovely lyric baritone” (Opera News) in interpretations of opera, oratorio, and art song repertoire. Bravos performs the role of Hannah Before in Laura Kaminsky’s groundbreaking As One with Opera Santa Barbara in 2022. With Chicago Opera Theatre, he played El Dancaïro in Carmen and “sang winningly” (Opera News) as Clay in the world premiere of Matthew Reccio and Royce Vavrek’s online opera The Puppy Episode.

Michelle Trainor

Versatile singing actress Michelle Trainor is known for her “powerful, penetrating soprano” (Wall Street Journal), and as both a “comic genius” and “vocal treat” (Boston Globe). A favorite in the arena of contemporary opera, Trainor recently premiered the roles of Helen McDougal in Julian Grant’s The Nefarious, Immoral but Highly Profitable Enterprise of Mr. Burke & Mr. Hare and La Madre in Omar Najmi’s En la Ardiente Oscuridad; and performed the role of Miss Lightfoot in Gregory Spears’ Fellow Travelers and Ofglen in Ruder’s The Handmaid’s Tale. In standard rep like Macbeth, Barber of Seville, and Threepenny Opera, she was described by Berkshire Fine Arts as “an ebullient comedian” who steals “every scene she is in with her pure joie de vivre.” She was nominated by ArtsImpulse for Best Female Performer in an Opera in the title role of Suor Angelica with MetroWest Opera.

Katherine Pracht

Singing the role of Horatio is mezzo-soprano Katherine Pracht, who made her debut with Joseph Summer’s The Shakespeare Concerts singing the role of Ariel in the world premiere recording of The Tempest for Albany Records.

Neal Ferreira

Praised for his “rich, powerful voice” and “bravura-filled stage presence,” Neal Ferreira is a nationally recognized lyric tenor known for his cultivated vocalism and eloquent expression. Dubbed a “Boston mainstay” by the Boston Globe, he recently appeared with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall as Tamino in The Magic Flute, with Emmanuel Music as Macheath in Benjamin Britten’s version of The Beggar’s Opera, and with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood as Parpignol in La bohème under the baton of Maestro Andris Nelsons.

Melanie Forgeron

Mezzo-soprano Melanie Forgeron has enjoyed a rapidly growing career in Europe and Asia. Theaterkrant hailed her “gorgeous, dark voice, and convincingly gloomy demeanor” in a recent performance as Ulrica in Verdi’s Ballo in Maschera with the Opera Zuid (Netherlands). Forgeron performed the roles of Playerqueen and Luciano in the world premiere of Joseph Summer’s Hamlet in a collaboration between the State Opera Ruse, PARMA Recordings, and the Shakespeare Concert Series.

Joseph Hubbard

Joseph Hubbard, bass, has performed over 30 different operatic roles ranging broadly from early 17th century to new premieres. He was recently cast in the world premiere of Joseph Summer’s Hamlet at State Opera Ruse in Bulgaria as both John the Gravedigger and Player King; in a joint production with Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Second City as Morgan/Wotan (cover) in Longer, Louder, Wagner; as Snug in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Larkens in La Fanciulla del West with Virginia Opera; Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, Henry Mosher in Picker’s Emmeline, Bass/Allen Ginsberg in Glass/Ginsberg’s Hydrogen Jukebox, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Mother in Weill/Brecht’s Seven Deadly Sins with Boston University Opera Institute; Colline in La Bohème and Orazio in Faccio’s Amleto with Opera Southwest; Seneca and Littore in L’incoronazione di Poppea with the Aldeburgh Festival Britten-Pears Programme (UK); and Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte with the Aspen Music Festival.

Dobromir Momekov

Dobromir Momekov graduated from the National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” in 2001. He specializes in the Accademia di alto perfezionamento per giovani cantanti lirici at the Arena di Verona under the direction of the world-renowned opera performers and pedagogues baritone Leo Nucci and soprano Raina Kabaivanska.

Teodor Petkov

Teodor Petkov graduated from the National School of Music and Dance “Hristina Morfova” – Stara Zagora with a degree in Oboe and Classical Singing. In 2015, he graduated from the National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov.” He also participated in the master classes of Bruno Balioni, Veselina Katsarova (2018), and Nikolay Motsov (2019). Winner of the Third Prize of the International Youth Competition “Slavic Bell” – Varna (2019), the repertoire of the young singer includes central roles from the operas of Mozart and Puccini, as well as many contemporary roles. He has toured in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Romania, and Northern Macedonia.

Maria Anastasova

Maria Anastasova was born in Ruse, Bulgaria. She is a graduate of the National School of Arts “Prof. Veselin Stoyanov” in Ruse with piano and classical guitar degrees. She studied the art of classical singing in the private class of the Bulgarian baritone and pedagogue Ventseslav Anastasov. In 2020 she graduated from the New Bulgarian University – Sofia with a degree in Animation Cinema. She has participated in master classes of the Japanese soprano Noboru Aomori, of the Bulgarian opera singers and pedagogues Gabriela Georgieva and Krassimira Stoyanova. She has been a soloist at the State Opera Ruse since 2020, where she played the roles of Oscar in “Un ballo in maschera,” Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro, Serpina in La Serva padrona, Lila in Bulgarians of Old Times, and Will in Hamlet.

Andrey Mitev

Andrey Mitev was born in 2012 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. At the age of seven, he began studying the flute and actively participated in concert programs and musicals staged by the Department of Performing Arts at his school. In 2020, he moved to Ruse, Bulgaria where he continued his flute training. He is the winner of the Second Prize of the National Competition “Sava Dobroplodni” in Shumen. Mitev sings treble in the children’s choir “St. George The Victorious” of Ruse.

Emil Zhelev

Emil Zhelev graduated from the National Academy of Music “Prof. P. Vladigerov.” In 2000 he settled in Italy, where he worked for the next decade. He specializes in Evgenia Dundekova and Claudio Desderi. He is a laureate of the international opera competitions “Umberto Giordano” (2000) and in Ruffano (2001, Lecce).

Eftima Evtimova

Eftima Evtimova graduated from National School of Music “Prof. L. Pipkov” and National Academy of Music “Prof. P. Vladigerov” in the class of Professor Elisaveta Kazakova, and for her master’s degree she worked with Professor Mario Hossen. At the same time, she attended the masterclasses of Professor Vanya Milanova, Mincho Minchev, and Stoyka Milanova. She has won prizes in competitions. Evtimova’s professional career began in the Vratsa Philharmonic, continued in the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra – Pernik and in the orchestra of the State Musical Theater “Stefan Makedonski.” Since 2019, she has been the concertmaster of the orchestra of the State Opera Ruse.

Plamena Velichkova

Plamena Velichkova graduated from National School of Arts “Prof. Veselin Stoyanov” in the cello class of Alexandra Elenkova. In 1996, she defended her master’s thesis at the National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” in cello in the class of Professor Anatoli Krastev and Chamber Music in the class of Professor Ventseslav Nikolov. Since 1997, she has been working in the Ruse Philharmonic. In 2012, after a successful competition, she was the leader of the cello group in the orchestra of the State Opera Ruse. At this moment, she is also a cello teacher at National School of Arts “Prof. Veselin Stoyanov.”

Bozhena Petrova Ivanova

Bozhena Petrova Ivanova graduated from the National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” in the piano class of the pedagogue and the outstanding concert performer Professor Yovcho Krushev. She has won awards from national competitions and the First and Special Awards of the Second International Piano Competition “Albert Russell” in Sofia. She has repeatedly performed as a soloist in all Bulgarian philharmonic orchestras, as well as the Shanghai Philharmonic. Petrova collaborated at the New York Harlem Theater with the opera Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin on tour in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Japan. Since 2002, she has been a pianist and soloist of the symphony orchestra of the State Opera Ruse. At the same time, she is one of the leading accompanists of the opera house, performing as an accompanist in numerous chamber programs, as well as in educational concerts organized by the Ruse Opera. Petrova is a music teacher at the Ruse Children’s Opera.

Jose Antonio Higueras López

Jose Antonio Higueras López was born in Picassent, Valencia in 1991, beginning his musical studies at the Musical Artistic Society at the age of 8 with Professor Juan Bautista Soria Medina. Since 2007, he has been studying with Jose Chanzá, horn soloist of the Spanish Radio Television Orchestra. In 2010, he began his higher studies at the Salvador Seguí́, Superior Conservatory of Music in Castellón.

Plamen Beykov

Plamen Beykov (ARCM, M.Mus.) studied opera singing at the Royal College of Music in London with the English bass-baritone Steven Roberts and the famous Italian soprano Grazziella Sciutti. He specialized at the Accademia di Arte e Cultura in Rome with Bulgarian bass Boris Christoff.

Viktor Mitrevski

Coming from a family with a long musical tradition, the young Macedonian conductor Viktor Mitrevski began his music education at the age of 7 with the violin. In 2005, he picked up the baton and started studying orchestral conducting at University St. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. In 2008m he received an invitation from Alessandro D’Agostini to assist him at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and the Teatro Comunale di Bologna. In 2009, he was accepted by the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, where he obtained Master’s Degrees in both Choral Conducting in 2014 with Professor Erwin Ortner and Orchestral Conducting with Professors Simeon Pironkoff and Uros Lajovic in 2015.

Steliyana Dimitrova-Hernani

In 1994, Steliyana Dimitrova-Hernani graduated from the Music School in Ruse with a degree in oboe, and in 1999 from the Plovdiv Academy of Music and Dance with a degree in music pedagogy and piano. In 1997, Steliyana joined the “Danube Sounds” choir as a chorister, and a year later, she became a member of the choir of the Ruse Opera. She is a graduate and follower of the renowned Bulgarian conductor Mihail Angelov. In 2011, Steliyana became the conductor of the “Danube Sounds” choir, and since 2012 has been the choirmaster of the State Opera Ruse. In 2013, she graduated with a master’s degree in choral conducting from the New Bulgarian University.

Svilen Dimitrov

Svilen Dimitrov was born in Ruse. He graduated from the National School of Arts “Prof. V. Stoyanov” in Ruse with a violin degree and the National Academy of Music “Prof. P. Vladigerov,” where he studied choral conducting with Prof. Lilia Gyuleva and opera and symphonic conducting with Prof. Ivan Marinov. Since 1997, he has been working with the children’s choir “Danube Waves.” He is the conductor of the choirs and the orchestra of NSA “Prof. V. Stoyanov,” which has won awards at a number of international festivals and competitions. He conducts concerts and operas with the Ruse Opera. He is the conductor of the mixed choir “Prof. Vasil Arnaudov” in Ruse, and since 2017 he has been the conductor of the Ruse Children’s Opera. Dimitrov is the author of orchestrations of concert programs and productions of Ruse Children’s Opera.