National Opera

In Bulgaria the European professional music tradition is established after the Liberation from Osman domination, when the eager for culture Bulgarians turn the opera music in their necessity and fashion. In 1890, in Bulgaria, situated on the crossroad between the East and the West, an opera theatre was born that becomes a cradle of talents giving ground to the world to start speaking about the Bulgarian Opera School so the Sofia National Theatre becomes and currently is the oldest and most prestigious Bulgarian opera thearte. Apprehending ideas from the West European and Russian Opera Theatre, cultivating taste to the Italian Belcanto and the Russian classical opera, The National Opera and Ballet makes its own way to highly sophisticated achievements and becomes a center of our national music-scenic culture.

Drawing upon the tradition of West European and Russian ballet theatre, its founders and opera makers - singers and production managers have established the ensemble method of a permanent troupe (soloist, orchestra musicians, ballet dancers, set design artists and producers).

It has introduced new artistic tendencies in the activities of the theatre by staging works that are not familiar to the Bulgarian audience and also by launching co-productions with foreign partners. As early as the 1940s troupe of the National Opera was guest-visitor in Germany whereas ever since the 1950s the Opera Theatre has had performances in all European countries, in some countries in Africa, South America and Asia - including 60 classical and modern opera and ballet productions, as well as special concert programs.