Almost everything is ready for the start of the International Opera and Ballet Festival ‘Maria Bieșu’, annually held in Chisinau, early in fall. The repertoire is going to be more diverse this year, as world-renowned performers are expected on the stage.

The event is at its 24^th edition and will unfold from September 9 to 18.

With the assistance of Vlad Plahotniuc’s Edelweiss Foundation, the famous modern ballet troupe from Kiev, conducted by Radu Poklitaru, will attend the festival with the play Giselle.

"Despite my lengthy experience, it’s been for the first time that I have seen a modern ballet in such a choreographic vision, although based on Charles Adolphe Adam’s work," said Aurelian Dănilă, the president of the Musicians Association.

The Maria Bieșu Festival is of special significance for this country. "It’s a feast of lyrical music and a test for the Moldovan lyrical theatre school. It’s extraordinary because that’s how the gifted personalities remain in the memory of a people," Culture minister Monica Babuc said.

This edition of the festival is dedicated to the 25^th Annivresay of Moldova’s Independence and is under the patronage of Prime Minister Pavel Filip.