Opera stars Sonya Yoncheva and Plácido Domingo will bring to Sofia a host of opera managers and 32 young opera singers from 17 countries across five continents. From October 20 to 26, the world’s most prestigious competition for young opera singers, Operalia, will take place in Bulgaria for the first time. The event is organized by Sonya Yoncheva’s production company. The Bulgarian soprano won the competition exactly 15 years ago on the stage of Milan’ s La Scala.

Legendary Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo, who founded the competition 33 years ago, will chair the prestigious jury. The Sofia Philharmonic is a co-organizer of the event. All rounds of the competition will be held at Bulgaria Hall. Maestro Nayden Todorov will conduct the final gala concert, reported BTA.