THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND EDITION OF THE COMPETITION FOR YOUNG TENORS
On 20 August, at 13.00, officially started the Second International Competition for Young Tenors THE VOICE OF KAMEN.
The director of the Stara Zagora Opera Ognyan Draganov opened the event with emotionally touching words in memory of the world-renowned opera singer Kanem Chanev – “a great artist and a great friend, with whom we spent many unforgettable moments on the stage and in life. Kamen Chanev sang many spectacles and concerts on the stage of the Stara Zagora Opera – here was also his last spectacle in the role of Otello.” Ognyan Draganov also presented part of the jury of the Competition, starting with the head of the jury the eminent Argentinian tenor, composer and conductor Jose Cura and specially thanked him.
Then he turned to Tanya Ivanova – the companion in life of Kamen Chanev, organizer and inspirer of the Competition, he continued with “the well-known Maestro Kaludi Kaludov and a great friend of the Stara Zagora Opera” and concluded with Conductor Maestro Vladimir Kiradzhiev – professor and teacher in the Viennese University of Music and Scenic Arts. He directed the attention of the singers to the pianist and eminent rehearsal-pianist with a reputable career Vyara Shuperlieva and the privilege to accompany at the Competition. He also presented the team of the Competition in the person of Siyka Lapachka – organizer and PR, the journalist Miglena Stoycheva – author of the unique program of the Stara Zagora Opera – one edition of the program will be dedicated to the Competition, and who will probably be the presenter of the Competition evenings and the office-manager Hristina Atanasova.
Jose Cura shared his joy that he will be part of the jury for the second time of this remarkable Competition, and emphasized that at the First Competition two years ago he discovered many new young talents, and the tenor who won the first prize participated in his production of the opera by Puccini “The Swallow” and he performed exceptionally well. He expects this year to find his new discoveries, “because we need dramatic tenors not less than lyrical voices who sing beautifully”. He talked about his acquaintance with Kamen Chanev and his friendship with Tanya Ivanova, who is “the hidden weapon and inspiration of this Competition” and whom he is ready to support in any undertaking, because he feels her as his sister… The Maestro wished success to all the tenors who tomorrow go out in an open competition for the prize THE VOICE OF KAMEN.
Ognyan Draganov invited the participants to begin the draw which determines the order of their appearances and the pianist who will accompany them. Three are the pianists in the Competition: Vyara Shuperlieva, Denitsa Petrova and Miroslav Georgiev.
The first round begins at 11.00 on the stage of the Stara Zagora Opera and will be held on two competition days – on 22 and 22 August. The results of the first round will be announced on 22 August in the evening.
I wish you success!