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Interview with Catalin Ionescu Arbore, manager of the National Opera House in Bucharest
Why did you choose Evgheni Oneghin to be the opening show of this
season ?
Evgheni Oneghin was unanimously chosen by the audience and the critics
to be the most representative show of the last season. It is very
good that a high quality show be the driving force for the new season.
What does the National Opera House in Bucharest offer its audience
in the near future?
We try to keep the same rhytm, level and quota we had in the previous seasons by bringing in new productions, new titles and by giving special attention to youths, especially children, in order to educate and attract them towards the opera shows. This thing happened the second day after the season opened. We premiered a show from The Experimental Studio for Opera and Ballet Ludovic Spiess named Fata marii (The Sea Maiden) a choreographic poem by Carmen Petra Basacopol.
The premiere of a new production of Hänsel and Gretel will take place
in December 2009. We will continue presenting anniversary shows which
at the end of this year will be dedicated to many great personalities,
members of our ballet company, such as Elena Dacian, Carmen Anghelus
and Georgeta Vretos.
We are also trying to fit in a rather short time frame, as we are
preparing to clear the stage by May 1st 2010, when the restoration
works are due to begin. This is a very good thing, as it will give
us the chance to work in a suitable, more functional building, much
more up to date with the times we live in.
Translated by Tone Monica Cristina & Mircea Filimon
MA Students, MTTLC, Bucharest University