Angela Gheorghiu and Stephen Costello arrived in Sofia days before their concert on 25 February – a time set aside for meeting the media and for rehearsing with the Sofia Philharmonic and its principal conductor Nayden Todorov. The programme of popular arias and duets from operas and operettas, and most of all the reputation of the world-famous soprano, brought thousands of opera lovers to concert at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia. They heard excerpts from works by Verdi, Donizetti, Puccini, Gounod, Bizet, Lehar. And afterwards – the audience erupted in a standing ovation, followed by several encores, autographs and photographs as a memento of the way audience and performers were able to interact.

Most of the audience were charmed by the beautiful voice of young tenor Stephen Costello and his stage presence. And forgave him for the musical score he had in front of him for his last performances. Born in Philadelphia, Stephen Costello has performed at opera houses such as Covent Garden, Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago etc.

“A marvelous singer and a wonderful colleague,” that was how Angela Gheorghiu describes him. This was the first time the two sang together in Bulgaria.

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• Interview with Angela Gheorghiu

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Angela Gheorghiu was asked a great many questions about her debut in 1990 (the time of the big economic and political crisis in both our countries), and what she thinks of the profession of an opera singer performing at some of the leading opera houses around the world.

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• More from Angela Gheorghiu

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“I can say that I have been given everything I have wanted, and the only thing that has mattered along the way was talent. All it took was for me to open my mouth and to start singing. I have never wanted to start with a small role, in a small opera house. I am sorry, but I am being frank! And I am so fortunate because I have always been there, with the right people at the right time,” Angela Gheorghiu says.

English version: Milena Daynova