Maria Biesu International Opera and Ballet Festival starts in Chisinau

The Maria Biesu International Opera and Ballet Festival will be inaugurated in Chisinau on September 14. This year's edition is dedicated to the famous soprano Maria Biesu, the Prima Donna of the National Opera, marking 90 years since her birth. The event, now in its 33rd edition, will bring together renowned international artists – 20 special guests from over 12 countries.

The public is invited to enjoy a programme of high artistic value, meant to showcase the expressive power of opera and ballet, considered the supreme forms of emotion and artistic refinement. On the occasion of the opening, the Ave Maria exhibition by visual artist Ion Moraru was presented in the Opera lobby.

At a news conference, Culture Minister Sergiu Prodan said that the festival was "an important pillar supporting the image of Moldova's culture":

"At the 33rd edition, we are already talking about maturity and something well-prepared. Over these years, the festival has nurtured more than one generation of spectators and artists. For artists, the event provides an international stage to showcase their talents, and for spectators – access to culture: opera and ballet, the most refined forms of art. I am delighted to see that the Maria Biesu Theater has a dedicated audience eagerly anticipating this festival each year. I express my gratitude both to the artists who will perform and to the people behind the scenes, without whom the magic of the stage would not be possible. I invite the public to attend the opera and ballet concerts, in order to enjoy music and works by renowned international artists."

This year's edition is marked by commemoration and artistic celebration, bringing a repertory of classical opera and ballet references.

"This edition is dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the birth of the Prima Donna of the national opera, Maria Biesu. Along with the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, we ruled to organize a round table dedicated to the soprano Maria Biesu, People's Artist," said Nicolae Dohotaru, director of the National Opera and Ballet Theatre (TNOB).

The festival’s programme includes seven opera and ballet performances running from September 14 to October 5. On the stage of the Chișinău Opera, distinguished artists from France, Germany, Ukraine, Greece, Chile, Cuba, Poland, Italy, Romania, the Netherlands, Spain, and Azerbaijan will perform alongside the artistic ensembles of TNOB Maria Biesu: soloists, orchestra, choir, ballet troupe, and children's choir.