Skopje, 15 May 2026 (MIA) — The National Opera and Ballet will stage Giacomo Puccini’s "Tosca" this Saturday as part of the 54th May Opera Evenings festival.

The opera, directed by Bulgarian stage director Ognyan Draganov, is "one of Puccini's most powerful and emotional operas, a story filled with love, passion, jealousy and danger," the NOB said in a press release.

"Puccini’s music drives the drama with incredible energy, creating an atmosphere that captures the audience from the first note," the release said.

Conducted by Marcin Nałęcz-Niesiołowski of Poland, the live orchestra will accompany Serbian soprano Marija Jelic in the title role. The cast also includes soloists from Italy and Bulgaria alongside members of the NOB ensemble.

The set was designed by Zoran Nikolovski and the costumes were designed by Marija Pupuchevska. mr/