This year’s International Opera and Ballet Festival “Maria Biesu” will involve young artists and this is a novelty, according to the organizers. The 22nd festival will take place at the National Opera House “Maria Biesu” between September 4 and 15 and will include performances of La Traviata, Swan Lake, Giselle, Carmen, the Queen of Spades, Masked Ball, Turandot and Don Quixote, IPN reports.

“There will be five opera performances and three ballet performances by famous artists from Ukraine, Belarus, Spain, and Romania. Among the young talents who will perform are Mariana Bulicanu, Tatiana Busuioc, Rodica Picireanu, Viorel Zgardan and others. This festival is the visiting card of our national opera. I invite everyone to the event,” Minister of Culture Monica Babuc told a news conference.

Aurelian Danila, who heads the Union of Musicians of Moldova, said the festival entered history by an impressive number of artists, promoting the values of opera in Moldova, both in the country and aboard.

Tenor Mihail Munteanu said he took part in all the festivals held so far, alongside the late opera singer Maria Biesu. He expects that the performance halls will be packed, as when the prima donna was alive.

Conductor Nicolae Dohotaru said the artists of the National Opera House have integrated into the European culture and area, being employed at the most famous theaters and institutions of culture abroad. They thus promote Moldova’s image abroad.

Performances start at 6pm. Tickets are available from box offices for 100 to 200 lei. A charity concert will be held on September 11. The proceeds will be given to veteran artists.

The International Opera and Ballet Festival “Maria Biesu” is organized under the patronage of Prime Minister Iurie Leanca. It is financed with 900,000 lei from the state budget.