A Memorable, High-Quality, and Exciting Season at the National Opera and Ballet

On June 26, the ‘Gala Ballet Concert’ as part of the ‘Skopje Summer Festival’ brought a precious, successful, and substantial season at the National Opera and Ballet to a close. Paying tribute to the jubilee of the Skopje Summer Festival and its immense contribution to audiences over the years, the gala presented a virtuoso kaleidoscope of excerpts from celebrated ballet classics—highlighting the institution’s principals, soloists, ensemble, and orchestra under an outstanding artistic concept.

This season at the National Opera and Ballet (NOB) stood out remarkably above past seasons, which traditionally offer impressive and high-quality programming every year. From the folkloric-classical ‘Symbiosis’, the traditional Vasilica Gala Concert, and the Oscars Concert, to sold-out halls for dense runs from the ‘iron repertoire’ of Puccini, Tchaikovsky, and others, all the way to the spectacular 52nd edition of the ‘May Opera Nights’.

Invited by then-General Director Vaso Ristov, M.A., and artistic director (now Acting Director) Orce Itskovski, I had the honor of opening this particularly engaging edition of the May Opera Nights. As a long-time principal soloist and former artistic director of the opera, I warmly congratulate the team on the festival’s high artistic standard, featuring world-class talent performing alongside our home artists from America to China.

Director Itskovski’s strategy to place this festival on the global map of current cultural events proved entirely successful, as evidenced by numerous reviews and invitations from international conductors following the festival. Prominent conductors included Enrico Dovico (frequent conductor in Vienna, Prague, Rome), Paolo Bressan (Berlin/Dallas Opera), Nayer Nagui (Cairo Opera), and the young Nimrod David Pfeffer from the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

The festival also featured guest soloists from Germany, Canada, and the National Opera of China with soloist Li Shuang. A notable highlight was the Sofia Opera’s visit with Wagner’s ‘Die Walküre’, marking the first time Macedonian audiences could enjoy Wagner’s music performed live by the Sofia Opera ensemble. Furthermore, the Musical Chamber Theatre from Ljubljana introduced the contemporary acappella chamber opera ‘Svdba’ (Wedding).

According to official venue statistics, the 52nd May Opera Nights became the most visited festival edition to date with record ticket sales, packed halls for every performance, and immense interest across the nation and region. Congratulations to the National Opera and Ballet on a truly thrilling season!