Theater and Music Production Center, Varna,
comprising “Stoyan Bachvarov” Drama Theatre – Varna,
and State Opera – Varna
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The building of the Varna theatre is impressive with its curved baroque facade, richly decorated with its columns, cornice and statuary. Raised a few steps higher, the entrance doors inspire a festive feeling upon entering the building.
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The Varna Opera has been organizing annual Christmas and Easter musical festivals for the past 14 years and since 2010 - the festival "Opera in the Summer Theatre". Every year, the opera is also hosting and participating in the international musical festival "Summer in Varna". Indicative of the prestige of the Opera are also the numerous performances of famous opera singers such as Gena Dimitrova, Nickolay Ghyaurov, Rayna Kabaivanska, Nickola Gyuzelev, Anna Tomova-Sintova, as well younger artists such as Kamen Chanev, Nadia Krasteva, Kiril Manolov, Boyko Tsvetanov, Carlo Colombara, among many.
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Designed in the classic horseshoe-shaped theater form, the hall baignoiresare placed close to the stage. The rounded ovals of the soft chairs follow the curves of the balconies. The building ends with a mansard roof, an oval dome above the entrance hall and four smaller domes above the side spiral staircases.
Тhe first Varna theatre troupe, the Varna Municipal Theatre, was founded in 1921 by the renown Bulgarian actor Stoyan Bachvarov (1878-1949). Back then, the municipal administration grants a subsidy in the support of a theatrical ensemble, led by Bachvarov.
The first season of the theatre was opened on March 12th 1921 with the play "The instinct" by Anry Kestmeker. The plays were performed in "Saedinenie" hall - a wooden building next to the Clock tower that has later been turned into today`s "Branch" stage.
In 1927, the citizens of Varna revive the idea to resume building their Theater. With an unprecedented fundraising campaign, the locals raise 1 million leva in less than a month. In 1932, thanks to the voluntary assistance of the Varna public and funds rose through stock brands, one of the most beautiful theaters in Bulgaria is completed.
On October 29th 1932, in the theater building built with the love of an entire town, the municipal ensemble opens the season with Yordan Yovkov`s "Boryana" - a play staged by Stoyan Bachvarov, the first director and manager of Varna`s theater.
In 1947, Varna`s Temple of Arts also becomes the host of Varna`s Opera.
The Opera and Varna`s Philharmonic orchestra merge in 1999 to become the State Institute of Culture and continue to operate under the name "Opera and Philharmonic Society, Varna".
The Council of Ministers release a decree in 2010 to merge Drama Theater "Stoyan Bachvarov" with Opera and Philharmonic Society, Varna in a new organization under the name – Theater and Music Production Center, Varna.
GALLERY
After the merge, Drama Theater "Stoyan Batchvarov" retains its name, while the Opera and Philharmonic Society, Varna is renamed to The Varna Opera House.
You can find out more about the building at www.opera.tmpcvarna.com and at www.dramavarna.com.
"The Emblematic buildings of Bulgaria" initiative aims to promote the Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage. The presented 3D visuals are illustrative and make no pretence of having thorough scientific and architectural accuracy.
