<<  -- 4 --  Maria Nockin    A RARE TREAT

Gueorgui Dinev made an amusingly comic Monostatos with his incisive character tenor voice and Hristo Sarafov was a worthy Speaker who sang with burnished tones. The Three Ladies were sung in exquisite harmony and with precise timing by Viara Zhelezova, Veselina Ponorska and Liubov Metodieva. The latter also doubled as a perky Papagena. The sultry voiced Zhelezova also sang one of the three spirits along with sweet sounding Galina Bakalova and Elena Galinova.

J Ernest Green, a frequent guest conductor with the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington DC, led the Sofia Symphony in a translucent rendition of the score. His pace was brisk and he maintained well balanced harmonies throughout the evening. This performance was a rare treat for residents of this area who usually have to commute to a larger city for opera.