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On 26 September 2026, Sonya Yoncheva makes her role debut as Julia, the titular Vestal Virgin in Gaspare Spontini’s La Vestale, at Staatsoper Unter den Linden. Directed by Lydia Steier, the new staging is the company’s first opera premiere of the 2026/27 season and is presented as a co-production with the Opéra national de Paris. Carlo Rizzi conducts. Yoncheva is joined by David Butt Philip as Licinius, Marina Prudenskaya as the Grande Vestale, Siyabonga Maqungo as Cinna and Adrian Sâmpetrean as the Souverain Pontife. The Staatskapelle Berlin and Staatsopernchor perform. Further performances take place on 30 September and on 3, 6 and 9 October 2026; 30 April, 6 and 8 May 2027.

Premiered in Paris in 1807, La Vestale was Spontini’s greatest success and became one of the most successful operas of the nineteenth century. With its large-scale choral scenes, sophisticated orchestral writing and ballet sequences, the work paved the way for French grand opéra and influenced composers including Hector Berlioz and Richard Wagner. It also has a close historical connection to Berlin: from 1820 to 1841, Spontini served as Prussian General Music Director and conducted at the city’s Royal Opera.

At the centre of the opera is the Vestal Virgin Julia, whose love for the Roman commander Licinius brings her into a deadly conflict with the religious and political order. Lydia Steier’s production focuses on the mechanisms of an autocratic regime.

“Julia is a role I am very much looking forward to”, says Sonya. “Sadly, the work is only rarely performed nowadays. That was different in the past, and many sopranos had the role in their repertoire. La Vestale stands at the transition from the Classical era to early Romanticism, much like Médée, and the music is absolutely fascinating. The dramatic conception already points towards Wagner, while some passages are reminiscent of Gluck. What I like most about Julia is her courage and the way she stands up for her convictions. She is rebellious in the best sense of the word.”

At Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Yoncheva has previously appeared in new productions of Médée and La traviata. She has also performed Mimì in La bohème and the title roles in Tosca, Madama Butterfly and Norma, as well as appearing in a Baroque concert and presenting her recital programme Ad una stella.

More information and tickets for La Vestale:
https://www.staatsoper-berlin.de/de/veranstaltungen/la-vestale.27273/#event-153639

On 23, 25 and 27 August 2026, St. Alexander Nevsky Square will once again become a spectacular open-air stage as Gala in Sofia returns. Organised by Sonya Yoncheva and her production company SY11 Events, the three evenings will bring together opera, classical music, electronic sounds, pop and crossover in the heart of the Bulgarian capital.

The festival opens on 23 August at 20:00 with the Bulgarian debut of French DJ and producer Charles B. In his show Unlimited, the internet phenomenon behind the “Classical Meets Techno” concept transforms masterpieces by Vivaldi, Mozart and Beethoven through contemporary electronic rhythms. He will be joined by the Sofia Opera Orchestra for an evening that builds a bridge between classical music and a new generation of listeners.

On 25 August, opera takes centre stage with a concert performance of Puccini’s Tosca. Sonya Yoncheva and Jonas Kaufmann will appear as Tosca and Cavaradossi, joined by Igor Golovatenko as Scarpia. Grigor Palikarov conducts the Sofia Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

The festival concludes on 27 August with Blue Night, the first artistic encounter between Sonya Yoncheva and violin virtuoso David Garrett. Classical masterpieces and contemporary hits will meet in a programme combining their distinctive musical worlds, accompanied by the Sofia Opera Orchestra under the direction of Leonardo Sini.

Gala in Sofia continues Sonya Yoncheva and SY11 Events’ mission to welcome leading international artists to Bulgaria, bring different musical genres and generations together, and create exceptional cultural experiences in one of Sofia’s most iconic settings.

Tickets for all three evenings are available through Kupi Bileti: https://www.kupibileti.bg/en/category/167