CARMINA BURANA
February 21, 2027, 7:00 PM
Sala Palatului Bucharest
CARMINA BURANA - the emblematic work of classical music will be staged at the Sala Palatului, on February 21, 2027, in a grandiose production, which brings together on the same stage 3 prestigious lyric soloists – ŞTEFAN VON KORCH - tenor, OANA MARIA ŞERBAN - soprano and FANG SHUANG – baritone, who are joined by the PITEȘTI PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA and the ACADEMIC CHOIR OF THE OLTENIA CRAIOVA PHILHARMONIC, in an impressive display of force, under the musical direction of conductor ALEXANDRU ILIE.
The performance will mean for music lovers the chance to listen to tenor Ştefan von Korch in his "signature" role, he having opened throughout his career the Palermo Classica Festival in Italy, but also many seasons of national philharmonics with Carmina Burana. The solo line will be completed by soprano Oana Maria Şerban – recently applauded on the stage of the National Opera in Bucharest in "The Barber of Seville" and by baritone Fang Shuang, appreciated in performances staged at the Comic Opera for Children. At the conductor's podium will be maestro Alexandru Ilie, frequently invited on the stages of national philharmonics and permanent conductor at the only operetta and musical theater in Bucharest and at the Comic Opera for Children. The impressive grandeur of the work will be completed by the Symphony Orchestra from Piteşti Philharmonic and by the Academic Choir of the Oltenia Craiova Philharmonic – choir master Pavel Şopov.
“Through the combination of orchestra, choir and soloists, Carmina Burana brings to the audience music of great impact, profound, at times primitive and almost hypnotic. The audience will experience an explosive, overwhelming spectacle, with spectacular vocal passages, at the limit of human vocal capacity, repetitive rhythms and percussive effects, caught in a monumental sound fabric" says tenor Ștefan von Korch, coordinator of the Musical Extravaganza season, which includes the show. “And beyond the music of an extraordinary intensity, what makes it truly fascinating is the universality of the themes: although dating from the medieval period, the texts speak of things that people experience today: love, luck and misfortune, pleasures, the fragility of life and the force of destiny." adds the soloist.
«In our era – marked by rapid changes – the message "the wheel of fortune turns incessantly" is more relevant than ever» adds Ruxia Şandru, Communication Coordinator.
CARMINA BURANA - a unique, intense and spectacular experience
Carmina Burana is considered by many to be the most recognizable vocal-symphonic work in the world. Especially the famous choral sequence "O Fortuna" – has become almost a symbol of force and drama in classical music. And beyond its popularity, the work has a fascinating story and a very intelligently constructed structure: the work was composed by Carl Orff between 1935 and 1936 and premiered on June 8, 1937 in Frankfurt. The work is based on the texts from a medieval manuscript also called Carmina Burana, a collection of 254 poems written in the 11th-13th centuries in Latin, medieval German and Old French.
From this volume, Orff selected 24 texts, transforming them into the monumental cantata applauded today all over the world. Structured in 24 tableaux, it is conceived almost as a dramatic arc about fate, nature and desire.
1. Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi (Fortuna – mistress of the world)
The work opens with the famous "O Fortuna" the central theme that evokes fate and the changing nature of life
2. Primo vere ("Spring") the rebirth of nature, youth, energy, joy
3. In taberna ("In the tavern") illustrates the unleashed life of people:
drink, games, satires
4. Cour d'amours ("Court of Love") - sequences full of passion, seduction, eroticism
5. Final - "O Fortuna" returns, closing the circle of destiny.
The circular structure itself suggests the central idea: the wheel of fortune turns constantly.
Tickets can be found at the Constantin Tănase Theatre Box Office and on Ticketstore.ro, Biletlateatru.ro, Startickets.ro and DynamicTicket.ro.
The Musical Extravaganza season continues with the following concerts:
The concert was part of the Musical Extravaganza season, artistically coordinated by tenor Ştefan von Korch. The series of monthly events thus continues"
"Ole Torero" – June 5th Constantin Tănase Theatre
"Arrivereci, Roma!" – June 10th – Dalles Hall
„Sous le ciel de Paris" – July 12 I C Brătianu
„Duelul Tenorilor" – September 14 – National Theatre – Studio Hall
„Granada" – October 23 – Constantin Tănase Revue Theatre – tickets soon
„Invitaţie la Vals" – November 6 – Bucharest, Constantin Tănase Theatre
„Invitaţie la Vals" – November 8 – Sibiu Philharmonic – Thalia Hall
„Invitaţie la Vals" – November 12 – Oltenia Craiova Philharmonic
„Invitaţie la Vals" – November 15 – Cultural Palace – Arad Philharmonic
„Invitation to Waltz" – November 22 – Paul Constantinescu Philharmonic - Ploiești
„Zaraza" – November 25 – Dalles Hall
„Christmas Extravaganza" – December 18 – Constantin Tănase Revue Theatre
About the protagonists
** Ştefan von Korch – Tenor, host soloist **
Ştefan von Korch, applauded for his tenor line in Carmina Burana but also for his roles in "I Puritani," "The Barber of Seville", "Rigoletto", "The Elixir of Love," or "Falstaff", delights the audience monthly as a host soloist and artistic coordinator of the Musical Extravaganza season, a pioneering cultural project carried out in the capital, with extensions on the stages of Braşov, Piteşti, Sibiu, Craiova and Târgu Mureş.
With a dynamic presence in national and international cultural life, Ştefan von Korch has already been present since the beginning of the year on the stage of the National Theatre in Bucharest, at the Braşov Philharmonic, Sibiu, Târgu Mureş, Arad and on the stage of the National Opera in Iaşi in "The Merry Widow 2.0," directed by Andrei Şerban.
In 2025 he was the only Romanian soloist in the concerts of great tradition "Los Tres Tenores," in Central America, alongside soloists from Spain and Honduras, he debuted at the Romanian Athenaeum in "Concert at the Imperial Court," opened the Arad Philharmonic season with "Carmina Burana", his "signature" work, in which he also began the year on the stage of the Transylvania State Philharmonic.
He is the unmistakable voice for the tenor line in Carmina Burana – a passage at the limit of the male voice's capabilities, through whose interpretation he navigates with overflowing ease. Thanks to the manner of interpreting this work, he was invited to over 40 performances of Carmina Burana, in the Philharmonics and Cultural Institutions in the country, but also abroad, in 2024 he was honored to open the Palermo Classica Festival in this work, with an acclaimed appearance in the press in the peninsula and in Romania alike.
His name is also linked to over 15 performances at the Bucharest National Opera where he was invited over time in "The Barber of Seville," "The Elixir of Love" and "Falstaff," but also to the national premiere of the opera "I Puritani," by Vicenzo Belinni, one of the highest scores written for a male voice.
The year 2024 ended with notable appearances at the Ion Dacian National Operetta and Musical Theatre, at the Sala Palatului and at the Philharmonic Orchestras of Târgu-Mureș and Timișoara.
In 2023, he was the only Romanian soloist in the China Tour 2023, alongside the Reino de Aragon Orchestra from Spain.
He delighted the audience with his voice in 3 national premieres: "I Puritani" and "La Sonnambula," both by Vicenzo Bellini, the vocal-symphonic work "Messa di Gloria" by Rossini, but also in the European premiere "Traiano in Dacia."
Over time, he has performed the roles specific to his voice from the very well-known operas: "Rigoletto", "The Barber of Seville", "The Elixir of Love", "Don Pasquale", on the stages of the Operas in Bucharest, Cluj and Iași and is a constant presence on the stages of the national philharmonics, "Requiem" by Mozart, "Christmas Oratorio" by Bach and "Longesangt" by Mendelssohn.
Pe plan internaţional a concertat la Metropolitan Concert Hall Tokyo, Zhuhai Opera House, Nanjing Poly Grand Theatre şi Chongqing Grand Theatre, Opera Kaiserslautern Germania, Auditoriumul din Zaragoza, Palatul Steri din Palermo, Teatro Verdi Padua Italia, Sala de concerte a Academiei de Muzica Zurich, Teatrul National Bratislava.
Oana Maria Şerban – ** Soprană **
Cu un zâmbet cald și o voce care îmbină sensibilitatea cu forța, Oana Șerban cucerește scenele din țară și din străinătate. Timbrul ei aparte are puterea de a transforma fiecare piesă într-o poveste și fiecare notă într-o emoție. De la energia rolurilor de operă, la delicatețea pop-operei și bucuria musicalului, Oana trăiește fiecare apariție pe scenă ca pe o întâlnire cu publicul de suflet.
În acest an a debutat în Rosina din "Bărbierul din Sevilla" pe scena Operei Naţionale din Bucureşti, iar în 2025, soprana Oana Maria Şerban a fost „Elle" – unicul personaj din „Frumosul indiferent" şi „Vocea umană," pe scena Teatrului Naţional de Operetă şi Musical „Ion Dacian," a interpretat personajul Miss Honey în „Matilda," musicalul Operei Comice pentru Copii premiat în Gala UNITER .
**English Translation:**
Internationally, she has performed at the Metropolitan Concert Hall Tokyo, Zhuhai Opera House, Nanjing Poly Grand Theatre and Chongqing Grand Theatre, Opera Kaiserslautern Germany, Auditorium of Zaragoza, Steri Palace in Palermo, Teatro Verdi Padua Italy, Concert Hall of the Zurich Academy of Music, National Theatre Bratislava.
Oana Maria Şerban – ** Soprano **
With a warm smile and a voice that combines sensitivity with strength, Oana Șerban conquers stages at home and abroad. Her unique timbre has the power to transform each piece into a story and each note into an emotion. From the energy of opera roles, to the delicacy of pop-opera and the joy of musicals, Oana experiences each appearance on stage as an encounter with the audience of the soul.
This year she debuted as Rosina in "The Barber of Seville" on the stage of the National Opera in Bucharest, and in 2025, soprano Oana Maria Şerban was "Elle" - the only character in "The Beautiful Indifferent" and "The Human Voice," on the stage of the National Operetta and Musical Theatre "Ion Dacian," she played the character Miss Honey in "Matilda," the musical of the Comic Opera for Children awarded at the UNITER Gala .
A year earlier, the talented coloratura soprano sang in the Gardens of the Palace of Versailles, on the occasion of the opening of the Olympic Games in Paris, performed at the Musikverein in Vienna in the role of Dochița from the Operetta "Crai nou", alongside the National Opera of Bucharest and debuted at the National Opera of Bucharest in 2023 in the roles of Olympia from the opera The Tales of Hoffmann, by J. Offenbach, Gilda from the opera Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi, and Susanna, from the opera The Marriage of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
At the Opera Comică pentru Copii (Children's Comic Opera) she is the favorite heroine of the little ones in memorable roles such as Rosina from the opera The Barber of Seville, Clorinda from the opera Cinderella, both by Gioachino Rossini, Norina from the opera Don Pasquale and Adina, from the opera The Elixir of Love, by Gaetano Donizetti.
**FANG SHUANG – (Baritone)**
Fang Shuang became a true "darling of the public" after being a finalist in the Românii au talent (Romania's Got Talent) competition in 2017, where he obtained a Golden Buzz with the song "Copacul" (The Tree), and delighted with "De-ai fi tu salcie la mal" (If you were a willow on the shore) and "Of, inimioară!" (Oh, little heart!), revealing his passion for old Romanian music.
His career on the lyrical stage, however, began much earlier, as early as 2013, when he became a soloist of the Opera Comică pentru Copii (Comic Opera for Children), where he performed: Malatesta from "Don Pasquale," Peter (Father) from "Hansel & Gretel," the Director from "Mam'zelle Nitouche" (Hapciu in Re Major), Pappacoda from "A Night in Venice," Papageno from "Die Zauberflote" (The Magic Flute), Hook from "Peter Pan" and Pimpinone from "Pimpinone"
He is a graduate of the National University of Music in Bucharest, in the class of Mr. Ionel Voineag and Mrs. Andreiana Geamănă-Roșca for vocal accompaniment and a master's degree in classical singing, but his great passion remains romances.
Alexandru Ilie – Conductor
Currently, he is a permanent conductor at two of the profile institutions in the Capital: Opera Comică pentru Copii (Comic Opera for Children) and the National Operetta and Musical Theatre "Ion Dacian". He is the founder/co-founder of Camerata Intermezzo, the Royal Choir and VIBE Orchestra.
Having vast experience, Alexandru Ilie frequently collaborates with the Philharmonics from Romanian cities, such as: Cluj, Timișoara, Iași, Pitești, Ploiești, Bacău, Rm. Vâlcea, Oradea, Satu Mare, Târgu Mureș, Botoșani, Craiova, Târgoviște, but also with national orchestras: Bucharest Symphony Orchestra, Camerata Regală, Brașov Opera Orchestra, Craiova Romanian Opera, Romanian Youth Orchestra, Iași Youth Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra of Moldova, Concertino, Philarmonia Bucharest.
In parallel with classical activity, Alexandru Ilie loves to bring "fusion" concepts to the public, having collaborations with artists of light music (Marius Moga, Nico, Marcel Pavel, Andra, Paula Seling, Ovidiu Anton).
The Symphony Orchestra of the Pitesti Philharmonic, the most avant-garde in the country, present on stage alongside Al Bano, Monica Anghel, Laura Bretan and in the "Duel of Tenors" concerts
The Academic Choir of the Oltenia Craiova Philharmonic choir master Pavel Șopov, a traditional formula with multiple interpretations of the Carmina Burana work to its credit, on domestic and international stages.
About the Musical Extravaganza season
The concerts aim to offer the public the joy of meeting representative names of the lyrical scene, in a more intimate setting, which offers a different perspective on the artistic act compared to that of the imposing opera stage, but also to bring the classical genre closer to audiences of all ages. Spectators are invited to admire their favorite soloists in a select atmosphere, complemented by a chamber accompaniment, which highlights the performers in a warm and personal light.
The first Musical Extravaganza season, conducted under the artistic guidance of tenor Ştefan von Korch, included over 20 successful concerts, in which the public was delighted, together with the host soloist: soprano Cristina Maria Oltean, soprano Daniela Bucşan, tenor Alin Stoica, baritones Adrian Mărcan, Lucian Petrean and Fang Shuang, pianist Alexandru Burcă, accordionist Emy Drăgoi, pianist Bogdana Cocîrlea, Pitești Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ion Dacian National Operetta and Musical Theatre Orchestra – in salon format.
