Bulgarian State Opera to Perform "The Marriage of Figaro" Feb. 6

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Center for the Arts at the University at Buffalo will present Bulgarian State Opera in "The Marriage of Figaro" at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 6 in the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for the Arts on the UB North (Amherst) Campus.

Established in 1996 by Ivan Kyurkchiev, the Bulgarian State Academic Opera is based on the great traditions of the art of opera in Bulgaria and presents unique productions combining the best of the opera worlds of Bulgaria and all of Europe.

One of the most popular operas in the world, "Le Nozze Di Figaro" ("The Marriage of Figaro") is an opera buffa in four acts composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with text by Lorenzo de Ponte after Beaumarchais. The production first was performed at the Burgtheater in Vienna in 1786, conducted by Mozart, himself. This humorous comedy of errors takes place at a count's chateau near Seville, where Figaro, the valet, makes plans to marry Susanna, the Countess' personal maid, while the philandering Count Almaviva has other plans.

The Bulgarian State Academic Opera's roster of distinguished singers, its impressive choir, ballet and orchestra has obtained an interpretive maturity in many different styles. The members of the orchestra, choir and ballet were carefully selected from among the best Bulgarian musicians, singers and dancers. The repertoire of the Bulgarian State Academic Opera includes a wide spectrum of works: "Otello," "Aida," "Turanodot," "Tosca," "La Boheme" and productions of the Mozart and Verdi Requiems.

The Bulgarian State Academic opera participated in the "super-productions" of "La Traviata" at the Munchen Olympiahalle in 2001, "Carmen" in Arnhem, "Nabucco" and "Rigoletto" in Rotterdam, and "Aida" at the Arena auf Schalkein Germany, as well as acclaimed productions at the Stade de France in September 2001 and the Grosse Festspielehalle in January 2002.

Tickets for "The Marriage of Figaro" are $44, $34, $24, and students $20. Tickets are available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Center for the Arts Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations, including Kaufmann's. To charge tickets, call 852-5000; in Canada, call 1-416-870-8000. For group sales, call 645-6771. For more information, call 645-ARTS. The Center for the Arts is a Ticketfast location. Students (of any school) must present valid student ID at the Center Box Office to receive discount.