In June 2013 I left for Plevna to see a city of extreme importance for the Romanian history but also to see, in open air, “Aida" a production of the Opera from Ruse. When I was returning, I was planning to see the same opera but this time at Ruse. Before the spectacle, I “accompanied" throughout Ruse, from the Opera building until the summer Theater, a camel. She was going to perform, but the rain didn’t let the spectacle to take place, so I couldn’t see the camel interpreting her role for which she probably rehearsed day and night, countless hours. :-)

Almost two years later, I went with my Skodita to see… what role did the camel had in the production of the Opera from Ruse! :-) Was it for the “Triumphal March" as I assumed or should it be for Ammeris, Radames the high priest or even Aida? :-) Was she a soprano? Mezzo? Tenor? Or counter-tenor? :-) You can’t figure out the voice of a camel, even if you cross a town with her! :-)

On the way to Ruse I visited the monastery Comana from Giurgiu County. Comana is the place where a headless body was found buried around the XV century and which is presumed to be Vlad the Impaler. Also, the great Ruler founded the monastery Comana-the only one built by him- but it didn’t last, the actual one is built by voivode Radu Serban 150 years later. The place is filled with history and fills the heart, much more than this it is situated on the river Neajlov, where the famous battle of Calugareni took place in August 1595 when Mihai the Valiant defeated the invading Turks. Seeing the area between Calugareni and Comana, I have explained better, for myself, why the forces where equalized then- History tells that the Turks were 10 times more- I recreated the battle in my mind! The zone is like a little delta, with bodies of water mixed with stripes of land (easily transformed in mud) on which reed, bulrush, and flocks of birds reside. Seeing this image before my eyes, I can envision Sinan-Pasa coming from the left and Mihai the Valiant from the right. :-)

If I met the idea of united cities, I didn’t know that it was taken by the monasteries as well. Comana is united with Basarbovo from Bulgaria, which I planned, anyway, to see. This decision was strengthen by the map from Comana that presented the routes between the two holy places. Basarbov monastery or Basarabov is situated at 8km from Ruse. I found it easier than I expected, but I had to used my “vast" knowledge in Bulgarian, meaning: "Dobr den! " - "Good afternoon! ", "Izvinete! " - "Excuse me! ", "Napravo" - "Foward", "Nazad" - "Back", "Naleavo" - "To the left" "Nadeasno" - "To the right" and of course the frequently used "Ne razbiram balgarski! " - "I don’t understand Bulgarian! " when the people confused me with someone of their own and gave detailed explanations. :-)
And "Blagodaria! ", meaning "Thank you! "
"Mole! " - "With pleasure! " :-)

Hoping this small Bulgarian dictionary will prove useful, I get back to the subject (s). :-) Basarbovo monastery is a rarity, located between cliffs, along a riverbed. Has a few cells (sanctums) dug into the cliff at a height of 7-8 meters and on the other part a square tower, at the base a new church, still unfinished. Staring from the entrance on the walls of the mountain a few pictures can be seen dating probably for a few hundred years. The whole assembly is located on the river Ruseski Lom, the last Bulgarian tributary stream of Danube and I really recommend visiting this place, even for the most unfaithful believers. As a last detail, the monk there speaks pretty good Romanian and above all receives our currency. For souvenirs, cause I didn’t try to bribe him. :-)

From there I left for Ruse… Nooo! Towards Ivanovo monastery :-) there are only 15 km, its build in the same way, in a cliff, it’s beautiful but doesn’t compare to Basarbovo. The area is nice, green with forests and cliffs perfect for a walk.
From there I left for Ruse… Yes, this time yes! :-) And fast because it was late and the camel was getting ahead of me. :-)

I arrived when the overture was in full progress. From the first glance I could see a change. The Opera from Ruse had purchased an electronic screen for translation and placed it above the scene, just like the one from Bucharest, giving up on the panel with projector previously used. I like to see how people, with limited material possibilities, try to accomplish good things. But anyway, they need to try a little harder, the translation is still in Bulgarian and I still don’t understand a word. :-)

I must admit I didn’t have any high hopes after the last seen opera at Ruse, “Nabucco" last year in November. Back then a few musical parts were cut off and one of the main voices was weak. But this time the set-up of the Opera from Ruse was at its best. The interpretation, involvement in roles and especially the background made the spectacle a beautiful one and I ended up promising to see it again after some time.

There were two Egyptian statues on the sides of the scene, in the back a high pedestal and two sphinxes sitting in front of each other. On the back wall, on a canvas, an image of a temple pillars is projected. The priests in white are coming from the left, among them is Radames. He has a predominantly brown costume.

"Nebesna Aida! "
"Celeste Aida! "

"Bojestveno tialo! "
"Forma divina! "

In the old times, I used to go for a walk through the city or park with the girls. Now I realized I didn’t know how to address the problem… if I would have said “you are nebesna! " or “you’re bojestvena! " they would surely fall into my arms easily! :-)

Amneris appears and passes first on the pedestal behind the scene, than comes in front. So does Aida. Along the opera this move will be almost a ritual, when entering the scene almost all the characters were going up and down the back pedestal in key moments before coming in front of the scene for the action.

Amneris is in light blue and has two big black tails. Aida has a dark blue dress and is wearing a tiara.

Treperi, robnia! "
"Trema, schiava! "

The Pharaoh climbs the pedestal but stops at the middle, its throne is there. The image from the back has changed but the new one is still with Egyptian colomns.

"Voina! "
"Voina! "
"Voina! " "Voina! " "Voina! "

"Guerra! "
"Guerra! "
"Guerra! " "Guerra! " "Guerra! "

The priests are encouraging the march to battle.

"Pobeditel se vîrni! "
"Ritorna vincitor! "

Aida retakes the phrase and sings her pain (grief). "Mercy, gods! " - "Numi, pieta! " - "O, bogove, smilete se! "

"Imeeenssoo Phta! "
"Neobhvatni Phta! "
The priestess is at the top, has a nice outfit, blue-turquoise mostly, wears a hat on the head and is surrounded by 4+4 girls in yellow and white transparent cloths. The image in the back is changed again, now showing other columns and Egyptian models. In the front the girls dance slowly, on the music rhythm and phta is now worshiped with another word, “Vseobhvatni! " He deserves it! :-)

Amneris is on a bed-couch-throne with Egyptian motifs. She wearing blue clothes with yellow shades, both colors are shinning. The girls are behind her to the left and right forming a V, with Amneris at the top. They have white or pink veils and their holding from one to another a long stalk on which there are big green leaves. On each side there is a small harp. The dance of the small black people has to two big black people :-) a man and a woman with afro haircut, dressed in brown, painted brown on the face and with some kind of brown skirt.
Before the servants exit in row, they were thrown out by Amneris, they make a detour near Aida to watch her carefully.
"Ti si shtastliva! "
"Tu sei feeliice!
(Tu sei poossiente! Iio vivo soolo per quest-amor! ) "

"Slava na Egipet i Izida! "
Glory to Egypt and the goddess Isis! The priests, pharaoh, Amneris and a girl with wings - two sticks in extent of her hands with veils from the arms until shoulders. Black men and women, African costumes, afro haircuts, brown molded on the body, brown faces and some hay attached to their bodies. Looks very nice, the dance is even prettier and is capped by a big hay basket from which a girl appears waving like a snake. I sincerely regret that I can’t better describe the dance and atmosphere but Ruse is near Bucharest, “Aida" is the best spectacle seen here- on the other hand is the first that I want to see- so least my concitizen can come and see. But come one at time, not all at once; there isn’t too much space at the custom. :-)
"Gloorie all`Egitto e Iisis! "

The temple of Osiris. In the background another temple image is displayed. On the scene enters priests, priestesses and Amneris wearing a brown robe slightly glittering. Aida is somewhere in a corner, overlooked. She remains alone and sings “O, rodino svidna! " (O my precious country! ) I’m thinking mine is just six-seven km away; kilometers which not only once I had to walk after the spectacles at Ruse Opera to go to the custom and find someone willing to take me to Bucharest.

Samata ti! " - "you, yourself! "
"Ne! Ne! Nikoga! " - "No! No! Never! "
"Maika ti e! " - "she’s your mother (cursing you)! "
"Ah, tatko, tatko! " - "O, father, father! "
"Smelost! " - "Courage! "
"O, rodino svidna!
Aida makes erotic provocative dance moves to lure Radames.. "Obiceam te! " - "I love you! ". "Da izbiaga me! " - "let’s runaway! "
"Saaacerdoooote, iiiioooooo reeeestooo aa tee! "
The soldiers are fighting Amonasro in another corner of the scene and is kills him. In the meantime Aida runs terrified in the opposite direction.

Amneris. Radames is brought, his hands are handcuffed. "Rodina, tron, jivot" - "country, throne, life" (I would give them away for you! ) "Jiva e Aida! " - "Aida is alive! "
The priest choir comes to the scene, right in front. Amneris goes to the back of the scene, up on the pedestal and looks from there. In the middle there are four with wolf head sitting back to back in form of a cross and in there middle there is scale.
"Discooolpa ti! "
Radames tace! "Discooolpa ti! "
"Toi mîlcei! "
"Discooolpa ti! "
"El tace! "
The scale shifts to one side and then comes the verdict!
"Preeedatel! Preeedatel!
Preeeee-da-teeel! "
E tra-ditor! Mora! Mo-ra!
E tra-ditor! Mora! Mo-ra!
Traaaditoor! Traaaditoor!
Traaaditooooor!

Atto finale. The back image is an Egyptian tomb. Radames is pushed in front, Aida is standing behind him. She is already visible to the public. On the back pedestal climbs the winged girl and makes a few attemps to fly. She leaves; Amneris appears accompanied by a few girls, then by the four with wolf heads and golden horns.
"Сбогом земя, за нас че отваря небето! "
"Sbogom zemia, za nas ce otvaria nebeto! "
"Farewell, farewell the sky is opening for us! "
"Adio-adio-adioo vaalle di pianntii! "

It’s a beauty "Aida" at Ruse!

And so I saw Radames at Rusciuc. me with my Skodita, him pedestrian, bez kamila! Meaning without a camel! :-)
Its better, because last time it was the opposite, him with the camel, me bez Skodita! :-) ) )

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