World famous Bulgarian opera singer Sonya Yoncheva will sing for the first time at Sofia Opera

The world-renowned Bulgarian opera singer Sonya Yoncheva will sing for the first time at the Sofia Opera on 29 February.

She will perform in Giacomo Puccini's "La bohème" as Mimì. This will also be her first appearance in a full performance in Bulgaria.

Mimì is one of Sonya Yoncheva's crowning roles, taking her to the most prestigious stages in the world, such as the Metropolitan Opera, where she made her debut in 2014, the Paris Opera, the Scala in Milan, the Staatsoper Berlin and the Bavarian Opera in Munich. Worldwide critics have described her as "the perfect Mimì" and highlighted her rich timbre, sparkling pitches and perfect acting presence.

After the dress rehearsal on February 28, she told BNT about the emotion with which she greets her debut on the Sofia Opera stage.

"It is a great honour for me to sing at the stage of Sofia National Opera and Ballet. “La "Boheme” is one of my favourite operas. It has given me so many chances in my artistic journey. To be here in front of Bulgarian audience and to share the stage with so many wonderful colleagues is a huge celebration for me," said Sonya Yoncheva.

Maestro Plamen Kartalov's plans for future projects with the world famous opera prima don't stop here.

"After ‘La Boheme”, we are doing Tosca together in January. We are dreaming about the new production of "Medea" and "Madame Butterfly", said acad. Plamen Kartalov - director of the Sofia Opera and Ballet.

In the Sofia Opera performance Sonya will sing under the baton of the young Bulgarian conductor Boyan Videnov, whom the audience already knows from his performance in Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata".

The other leading roles will be performed by Liparit Avetisyan as Rodolfo, Veselin Mihaylov as Marcello, Anton Andreev as Schaunard and Bozhidar Bozhilov as Colline.

Sonya Yoncheva will come to Sofia after a series of recitals and concerts, as well as a performance in Cherubini's "Medea" at the Scala in Milan and "Madama Butterfly" at the Staatsoper Berlin.