The new premiere of “The Csárdás Princess”, operetta in three acts by Emmerich Kálmán, performed by Veliko Tarnovo Music and Drama Theatre, promises a fast, modern pace and sophisticated visual aesthetics under the direction of Nikolay Aprilov. The performance will come to life under the stars on July 18 at the open stage on Tsarevets Hill Fortress. The natural decor of this historic fortress is an organic part of the magic of this premiere.
Kálmán began working on it in the spring of 1914, but the outbreak of World War I temporarily stopped the process. The composer retreated in an Austrian resort and completed it the following year under the original working title Es lebe die Liebe (Long Live Love). The world premiere was on November 17, 1915, at Johann Strauss Theatre in Vienna. The performance was a phenomenal success and was performed 533 times without interruption.
Here the completely new adaptation of the classic libretto shortens the cumbersome dialogues, relying on dynamics and strongly charged with comedy. The plot visually opposes the free, lush world of the Budapest cabaret with the cold, strict etiquette of Vienna palace. In this version the image of the head waiter Mishka is brought to the forefront as a central figure who skilfully moves the story threads of the action. Emmerich Kálmán’s impressive work combines fluid waltz melodies with explosive, rhythmic csárdás.
This large-scale production features the entire cast of the theatre, reinforced by the guest star soloists Lilia Ilieva-Mikhailova and Nikolay Motsov.

“The Csárdás Princess”, operetta in three acts by Emmerich Kálmán
Libretto: István Békeffi and Dezső Keller
Stage Director and Adaptation: Nikolay Aprilov
Conductor and Musical Director: Gancho Ganchev
Set and Costume Design: Radina Bliznakova and Liliya Babunova
Choreography: Tatyana Yaneva
Choreography Revival: Katya Bogdanova
Choirmaster: Yanitsa Parvanova
Concertmaster: Maria Pavlova
Assistant Director: Rumyana Atanasova

Performed by:
Edwin, son of the Prince and Princess – Nikolay Motsov
Silva Varescu, variety singer – Liliya Ilieva-Mihaylova
Count Boni Kanchianu – Velin Mihaylov / Nikola Popov
Countess Stasi, niece of the Prince – Polina Petkova
Princess Cecilia (“Cilika”), wife of the Prince – Valeriya Peycheva
Mishka, head waiter – Stefan Metodiev
Feri Bácsi, writer – Milen Ivanov
General Ronsdorf – Viktor Terziyski
Prince Leopold von Lippert-Weylersheim – Nikolay Aprilov

Orchestra, choir, and ballet of “Konstantin Kisimov” Music and Drama Theatre