Maria Biesu International Opera and Ballet Festival inaugurated in Moldova

Chisinau, 9 September /MOLDPRES/ - The 30th edition of the Maria Biesu International Opera and Ballet Festival, held in Chisinau on 8-25 September, was inaugurated at the National Opera and Ballet Theatre on 8 September with the Carmen opera in four acts by George Bizet, conducted by Nicolae Dohotaru. The principal parts were played by Ramona Zaharia (Carmen) from Romania, Jonathan Tetelman (Don Jose) from the USA, Andrei Jilihovschi (Escamillo) and Valentina Nafornita (Micaela) from Moldova.     

Attending the event were President Maia Sandu, Culture Minister Sergiu Prodan, other officials.

In his speech, Culture Minister Sergiu Prodan said that 30 years was an honourable age for a festival, which makes Moldova honour and bears its fame in the world. ‘’Artists of the theatre with artists guests will perform on this stage. I look to this hall and I see a packed house. This is a great joy, as the Maria Biesu Festival went through these two horrible years of pandemic. Just last year, we had to play in a hall filled to the half with audience and one year before – with empty hall. I am happy to see a full hall now and you to support this festival in continuation. During these 30 years, more generations of artists came on this stage. Our duty towards the current generation and the next generations is to make the best conditions, so that the art, opera and ballet are at the head of the table, at the fit place. I want to assure you that the Culture Ministry, Moldova’s government, with the support of the Presidency, parliament, do our utmost for this to happen, even in these times of distress,’’ the official said.        

According to the director of the Maria Biesu National Opera and Ballet Theatre, Ion Grosu, 22 singers and conductors invited from 11 countries will be present at the festival, during those seven shows.  

The 2022 issue of the festival is organized by the Culture Ministry, Maria Biesu National Opera and Ballet Theatre and other institutions. The festival’s budget is of about two million lei (over 100,000 euros).