The 25th International Opera and Ballet Festival “Maria Biesu” starts in Chisinau on September 8, IPN reports. The festival consists of eight performances: five operas, two ballets and a gala concert to close the event.

Minister of Education, Culture and Research Monica Babuc told a news conference that the festival devoted to the national opera prima donna Maria Biesu is one of the trump cards of the Moldovan culture. “The inheritance left by Maria Biesu is alive and we make effort for this nice tradition to continue. In the Republic of Moldova, there is a fertile land for opera artists,” said Monica Babuc.

Tenor Mihail Munteanu said Maria Biesu’s soul is alive in this festival. “We had sung for 40 years together and had great success. We miss Maria Biesu a lot,” said the artist.

Chairman of the Union of Musicians Aurelian Danila noted that international artists who know the situation of culture in the Republic of Moldova accepted to come to the festival and to give this a chance. “Every time good artists understand us and come to Moldova to sing. This is very important for the continuity of the festival,” stated Aurelian Danila.

The International Opera and Ballet Festival “Maria Biesu” is organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, the Union of Musicians and the National Opera House under the aegis of Prime Minister Pavel Filip. The festival will be opened by the famous opera in three acts “Madam Butterfly” by Giacomo Puccini. On September 9, there will be staged the ballet in three acts “Don Quijote” by Ludwig Minkus, on September 10 – the opera “Eugene Onegin” by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, while on September 12 – the ballet “Swan Lake” by Pyotr Tchaikovsky.

The opera “Macbeth” de Giuseppe Verdi will be performed on September 13, the “Queen of Spades” by Pyotr Tchaikovsky on September 15, “Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi on September 16, and the gala concert to award trophies to participants will be held on September 17. Performances start at 6pm.