Varna International

Recent Developments

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:44:55 -0500

Having just returned from Austria, in preparation for our performances of Brahm’s Requiem, Faure & Durufle Requiems, & Kodaly’s Missa Brevis, we can tell you that there are great things in store for those coming abroad with us.

We had many meetings during our 10 days in Austria, with the gracious hosts of our featured venues. They are spectacular!

Most notably, we are adding the New Cathedral, Linz as the performance venue on June 15^th for the Faure and Durufle performance. This is extremely exciting!

Why? The New Cathedral, Linz is the largest in all of Austria. For those interested in acoustics, it has an EIGHT SECOND echo. Say something and then sit and wait; one one-thousand, two one-thousand, etc. Not to mention, it’s very difficult to gain access and get the privilege to perform. It’s a great honor that Varna International’s concert will be hosted at the New Cathedral, Linz.

For our 15^th Music Academy in Vienna, we visited The Gustav Mahler Conservatory of music. It is a very spacious and new facility. Everything is nice. It even smells new. Plus, it is right behind the main concert hall in the center of the city. We could not ask for a better location.

Our 2013 tours in Austria are really coming together. Those who have already joined - be excited. It can only get better. Those interested, contact us and let us know what you want to do.

Not a singer or musician? Not a problem. We would love to have you along on our day-tours, in attendance during a show, or even behind the scenes as the performance days approach. Let us know!

In Remembrance. The 40th Day.

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 18:53:00 -0400

40 days ago Prof Marin Tchonev passed away. It is a Bulgarian custom to set aside the 40^th day for a memorial. We wanted to share with you what those closest to him remember.

“We bid farewell to a person who rose above the ordinary goals of a man’s life by endowing his own talent to music with the dedication of a missionary
The fruits of his labor and ambition – the “Morski zvoutsi” choir, the Choir of the Varna boys and young men” – both the pride of the city of Varna, spread the glory of Bulgarian choral art worldwide, made thousand of listeners and musicians hold their breath, made audiences and juries stand on their feet and applaud. Varna became an international musical venue of choral singing – he was the initiator and creator of the May choir competition.
Professor Marin Chonev is the emblem of musical Varna.
Honesty and sincerity make one vulnerable. Yet, he was an honest and sincere man. He was invulnerable to the whims of the times he lived in. He was a renowned social figure and citizen. He was also a loving and caring husband and father in a good family.
Marin Chonev lived among us by generously endowing us his talent of a teacher and conductor. He touched and blessed with the human touch the fate of many people. We are deeply grateful to him for this honor.
May the trace you left be eternal, Maestro!
We bow to you!”

-From the former and present choristers of “Morski zvoutsi”

Passing of Professor Marin Chonev

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:57:04 -0400

Professor Marin Chonev, father to Kalin Tchonev, passed away yesterday, August 26, 2012.

A wonderful husband, father, grandfather, mentor, teacher, conductor and friend. He blessed and touched many lives.

Psalm 15 describes the life he led.

2013 Tours!

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 18:08:54 -0400

2013 Tours!:

Don’t forget about our upcoming 2013 tours. More info to come!

Congratulations Stetson University!

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 18:45:49 -0400

Congratulations to Stetson University and their execution of two fully-staged orchestral performances of Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi at the State Opera House of Stara Zagora, Bulgaria during the Varna International Opera Academy earlier this week.

The opera performances were held in participation of the Stara Zagora Symphony Orchestra.

Varna International Welcomes Stetson University

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 19:29:05 -0400

Varna International welcomes Russell Franks and his voice students from Stetson University as they join us for the 2nd Varna International Opera Academy, in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria at the State Opera Stara Zagora.

The Academy will feature Giacomo Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica.

June 9th Concert- Section of Suite PreBulgarians, Devoiko and...

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 13:19:08 -0400

June 9th Concert- Section of Suite PreBulgarians, Devoiko and The Golden Fleece by Georgi Andreev

Gala Concert of the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony at the Festival and Congress Center, Varna.

The World Premiere of award-winning Bulgarian composer: Georgi Andreev: Suite Prebulgarians — in Varna, Bulgaria.

CSYS June 2nd Concert

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:28:39 -0400

The Colorado Springs Youth Symphony June 2nd concert at the State Opera House in Stara Zagora was warmly-received by an excited audience. A standing ovation!

For the encore, the orchestra played Gallop from “The Comedians” by Dmitri Kabalevskya blind-folded!!!

Next, the orchestra is headed to the Rose-Picking Festival in Kazanluk and then to Varna for the Varna International Music Academy.

The Youth Symphony arrived in Bulgaria today!

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:09:16 -0400

The Youth Symphony arrived in Bulgaria today! :

Here’s a CS Freshink article all about their incredible journey!

Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Tour

Thu, 31 May 2012 18:39:22 -0400

Varna International wishes success to Maestro Gary Nicholson and the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony as they get ready to travel to Bulgaria and Istanbul for their concert tour.

Congratulations to the Northern Kentucky University Chamber Choir!

Mon, 14 May 2012 18:24:00 -0400

Northern Kentucky University Chamber Choir took Second Place in the International May Choir Competition Prof. G. Dimitrov – Varna!

They also rendered an absolutely beautiful and emotionally moving concert on Sunday at the Bach Hall of the Evangelical Methodist Church.

A Melancholy Beauty: Interview with Founders Kalin and Sharon Tchonev

Fri, 11 May 2012 12:28:00 -0400

A Melancholy Beauty: Interview with Founders Kalin and Sharon Tchonev

Northern Kentucky University Chamber Choir Tour to Varna, Bulgaria

Tue, 08 May 2012 18:27:51 -0400

Varna International wishes success to Dr. Randy Pennington and the Northern Kentucky University Chamber Choir as they travel to Varna, Bulgaria to participate at the International May Choir Competition Prof. G. Dimitrov in Varna, Bulgaria.

On May 13 at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Randy Pennington and the Northern Kentucky University Chamber Choir will present their own concert “Songs from Shadows to Light” in Varna.

Teen sees barriers fall through music

Tue, 01 May 2012 13:55:00 -0400

Teen sees barriers fall through music :

Victoria Suha is going to Bulgaria, as part of a Varna International tour, and her grandparents get to see her perform for the first time!
Make sure to check out the article, above.

Varna Opera Academy Roles Available. Presented by: Varna...

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:14:55 -0400

Varna Opera Academy Roles Available.

Presented by: Varna International

Last year the second Songs of Life Festival presented the world...

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:30:39 -0400

Last year the second Songs of Life Festival presented the world premiere tour of A Melancholy Beauty in the Concert Hall of the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC; the Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City, and the Wang Theatre in Boston. The performances were accompanied by The National Philharmonic in Washington, DC and NYC, and by the Boston Modern Orchestra Project in Boston.

The performers delivered impeccable performances, which was covered by the world press and received a standing ovation by the thousands of people in attendance.

A Melancholy Beauty depicts the heroic rescue of 49,000 Jews during the Holocaust. In 2013 we will commemorate 70 years since the rescue.

A Melancholy Beauty, composed by the award-winning Bulgarian composer Georgi Andreev, is a major choral-orchestral work with a performing force of over 250 musicians.

We invite you to the European Premiere of A Melancholy Beauty, which will be held in Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna, Bulgaria (May 31 – June 10, 2013).

What’s Coming Up for 2013!

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

In 2013 we will be performing:

Brahms Requiem and Tragic Overture by Johannes Brahms in Italy
Kodaly’s Missa Brevis, Faure and Durufle Requiems, in Austria
The European Premiere of the Oratorio A Melancholy Beauty in Bulgaria
And other major choral-orchestral works.

Also see our suggested repertoire.

Opera Opportunities Still Available for Bass & Baritones

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

We still have some open roles for Varna International’s 2nd Opera Academy!
June 10 – 27, 2012

We are finalizing the casts of two one-act operas by Puccini: Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi for our Second Varna International Opera Academy, June 10-27, 2012 in Stara Zagora. www.VarnaOperaAcademy.com
The Academy will culminate with two full productions, fully staged and costumed with professional orchestra at the most modern Opera House in Bulgaria - The Stara Zagora Opera House.

Some of the roles we advertised last week have already been filled, below are the roles that are still available:

Gianni Schicchi

Schicchi - Baritone

Betto - Bass

Marco - Baritone

Pinellino - Bass

Guccio - Bass

We accept resumes and recordings of interested candidates! Apply Here.

Exciting Performance Opportunities for Opera Singers!

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

We still have open roles for Varna International’s 2nd Opera Academy!
June 10 – 27, 2012

The Stara Zagora Opera is a fully professional house with a full performance season - last year, 2011 they had 98 performances (in all genres) with more than 30,000 people in attendance. The Theater was fully renovated two years ago, up to the highest world theater technical and acoustic standards. For the design and construction of the Theater, the municipality of Stara Zagora engaged a top-professional German company from Dresden, which has been an expert and leader in such projects for many decades.

The productions will be on June 26, 27, at the end of our Opera Academy.

We accept resumes and recordings of interested candidates! Apply Here.

We still have open roles, some of them lead roles.

Open Roles:

Gianni Schicchi

1. Schicchi

2. Gherardo

3. Betto

4. Marco

5. Pinellino

6. Guccio

Suor Angelica

1. Badessa

2. Maestra

This is a fantastic opportunity for young singers to perform in two full productions at a professional European Opera House. Such opportunity will provide each singer with an amazing training and performance experience and add an impressive, most substantial ingredient to their professional resume. The Maestros and faculty of the Academy are internationally recognized in the opera world.

Choristers Wanted! Summer 2012

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:17:32 -0500

Choristers Wanted! Summer 2012:

Choristers are wanted for summer production and in-depth score study sessions of Puccini’s Operas: Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi under internationally-acclaimed conductor, Maestro DIan Tchobanov, with pianist through Varna International Opera Academy Programs.

The program constitutes an extremely valuable, hands-on training opportunities during all stages of a fully professional opera production process. All under the tutelage of an expert, internationally-recognized conductors and opera singers. We have two disctinct program itineraries to select from.

Recital Program:

Cost $2,500; Tuition includes:

1-2 public performances of all program participants with a pianist
1 individual voice lesson per week
2-3 coaching sessions per week with a professional opera coach/pianist in interpretation, diction and style
participation in 1-2 vocal Master Classes
2 language classes per week

Opera Chorus Program:

Cost $1,700; Tuition includes:

Participation in the chorus of the opera rehearsals and productions
1 individual voice lesson per week
possibility for 1 coaching session with a professional opera coach in interpretation, diction and style
1 vocal Master Class participation
2 language classes per week