The Ballet and the Orchestra of the National Opera and Ballet and guests from the ballet of the Varna State Opera – Bulgaria

“SCHEHEREZADE” AND “WALPURGIAN NIGHT”

SCHEHERAZADE – Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov (ballet)
Conductor: Grigor Palikarov (Bulgaria)
Choreographer: Mikhail Krapivin (Russia) – originally directed by Mikhail Fokin
Scenographer: Marija Veterovska (after the scenography of L. Baxt)
Costume designer: Maja Bursac (Serbia) – after costume design by L. Baxt
Concert Master: Kliment Todoroski
Tutors: Ella Stebljak (Ukraine), Goran Bozhinov, Aleksandra Mijalkova, Lora Tarcugovska, Dafina Daniloska-Kochevska
Light Design: Milcho Aleksandrov

Soloists:
Zabeida: Ivana Kocevska
Golden Slave: Balázs Lőcsei (Hungary)

Emperor Shahriyar is resting in his chamber. His brother Chess Zeman is entertained by harem girls with songs and dance. Shahriyar is only interested in his favorite Zabeida, but Zeman doubts her fidelity. Shahriyar, under the influence of Zeman, announces that he will go hunting, and the girls from the harem plot Zabeida to approach Shahriyar and wish him luck in the hunt, in order to dispel any doubts.
When the men leave, the girls bribe the chief eunuch who keeps them from opening the door of the harem.
Black slaves enter the harem and begin orgies with Shahriyar’s wives. Zabeida chooses for herself the most beautiful among them.
Shahriyar suddenly returns. Zeman’s suspicion is confirmed. The death penalty arrives for slaves and eunuchs.
Zabeida begs the emperor for mercy and convinces him of her faithful love. Although he hesitates for a moment, Shahriyar sacrifices his love to save his honor.
Zabeida, who does not find a solution, commits suicide in the arms of Emperor Shahriyar.

***PAUSE***

WALPURGIS NIGHT – Charles Gounod (ballet)

Conductor: Grigor Palikarov (Bulgaria)
Choreographer: Leonid Lavrovski
Choreography adaptation: Svetlana Tonsheva (Bulgaria)
Costume design: Izabela Ponjavikj
Concert Master: Kliment Todoroski

Soloists:
Marija Kichevska Shokarovska, Pavel Kirchev (Bulgaria), Marco di Salvo (Bulgaria)