Skopje, 3 May 2023 (MIA) - The premiere performance of Giuseppe Verdi's "Nabucco" at the National Opera and Ballet (NOB) on May 9 marks the beginning of the 51st edition of international festival "May Opera Evenings". This year the festival coincides with the 2010 anniversary of Verdi's birth.

Maestro Tomislav Shopov will light the festival fire, followed by "Nabucco", whereas Tchaikovsky's ballet "Swan Lake" will be played on May 12.

"Carmen" by Georges Bizet will premiere on May 17, "La Traviata" by Giuseppe Verdi on May 21, and "Requiem" on May 26, accompanied by performances of the Philharmonic Orchestra and NOB Choir. Opera "Aida" will traditionally close the festival on May 31.

NOB director Vaso Ristov informed that "Nabucco" was last revised on February 25, 2003, and last performed during the regular repertoire on December 7, 2017. Due to the overwhelming audience interest, tickets for Nabucco and the Swan Lake ballet were sold out.

Opera artistic director Dejan Proshev informed that Verdi's "Requiem" will mark the 2010 anniversary of his birth. ssh/ik/