My Fair Lady

“MY FAIR LADY” A MUSICAL BY FREDERICK LOEWE

A production of Burgas State Opera, performed in Bulgarian.

The story of one of the most frequently performed musicals in the world is not only entertaining, but also offers a much-needed dose of romance and life wisdom.

Every element of the production, woven into the fabric of the story; every note, word, phrase, breath, smile and sigh; every gesture from the conductor’s podium by the undisputed master Ivan Kozhuharov; every directorial, scenic, choreographic and costume-design concept brought to life in the feast unfolding on stage—all are haloed with Broadway brilliance, while also possessing theatrical depth and emotional power!

“Pygmalion” is a play by George Bernard Shaw, based on the ancient Greek myth of Pygmalion. In 1938, the work was adapted for the big screen, and on March 15, 1956, a musical based on the film and play, titled “My Fair Lady,” premiered on Broadway at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York. The stage production won nine Tony Awards, earning great success and widespread acclaim.

“My Fair Lady” is a classic tale in which a mature man takes an awkward, untutored young woman under his wing and shapes her until he falls in love with her. The musical tells an old story about the transformative power of love, with Eliza Doolittle, an eccentric street flower seller with a colourful London accent, at its heart. Henry Higgins, a professor of phonetics, is appalled by her pronunciation and bets his friend Pickering that in six months he can turn Eliza into a proper lady by teaching her to speak correctly. She accepts the challenge because she longs for a better job, and knows this would certainly help. Comic adventures ensue as the spirited heroine both exasperates and charms her teacher, while stepping into the role he has assigned her. As time passes, Higgins and Doolittle grow closer, but she rejects his attempts to mould her, remains true to herself and announces that she will marry Freddy Eynsford-Hill, a young gentleman of modest means. In the end, the professor wins his bet, but realizes that a person’s beauty is not visible on the surface—it lies deep within the soul.

Conductor – Ivan Kozhuharov Director – Alexander Tekeliev Set design – Ivan Tokadzhiev Choreography – Anna Pampulova Costumes – Yana Dvoretska Choirmaster – Alexander Chepanov

Soloists: Eliza Doolittle – Ilina Mihaylova Henry Higgins – Marcho Apostolov Colonel Pickering – Petar Tiholov Alfred Doolittle – Diman Panchev Freddy Hill – Yani Nikolov Mrs. Pearce – Irina Dobrovolskaya Harry – Georgi Bozveliev Jamie – Miroslav Dimitrov The Pub Landlord – Emil Peychev Mrs. Higgins – Stefka Hristozova Mrs. Hill – Shmilena Sultanova The Northerner – Milen Georgiev The Southerner – Bozhidar Kmetov The Westerner – Milen Dinolov Mrs. Hopkins – Darina Zapryanova Queen – Kalina Popova Ambassador – Alexander Perperiev

Orchestra, choir and ballet of Burgas State Opera