Vania Vatrova Stankov

The Bulgarian Soprano is a recipient of numerous awards, including an Award from the Spanish Ministry of Education and the Donizetti Award from the Welsh National Opera School for two consecutive years.

She graduated in Bulgaria and Spain in both violin and singing with the highest qualifications, was appointed co-principal violin at the City of Elche Chamber Orchestra where she played as soloist on many occasions, but relinquished her position in the orchestra in order to fully pursue her singing career. Vania has done Master Classes with Renata Scotto, Montserrat Caballé and Mirella Freni, amongst others.

She has performed recitals at many International Festivals, including Belcanto Dordrecht (Holland), Varna Summer, Sofia New Year’s, Sofia Music Weeks, and Peralada, Barcelona. Vania has performed the mainstream oratorio repertoire with orchestras such as the Sofia Philharmonic, London Gala and Valencia Baroque, and has worked under the baton of Alexander Kantorov, Alex Ingram and Georgio Leardini, to name but a few.

On the opera stage she has appeared in the title roles as Traviata, Rusalka and Ana Bolena with WNOS, Royal Opera School, Madrid and also took part in the Tower of London Festival’s production of Ana Bolena (in the title role), with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Vania has recorded for the major Bulgarian and Spanish Television and Radio Channels (BNR, RTVE, Antena 3, Canal 9, TV3). As well as her numerous recordings for TV and Radio Vania recorded a CD entitled Misterio de Elche (Mystery of Elche) with early music, declared by UNESCO as Patrimony of the Humanity Treasure. She also recently recorded her debut CD of “Operatic Favorites”, with the Sofia Symphony Orchestra.

Press reviews:

"...On the compelling evidence of this debut recording, there may indeed be some seductive delights to anticipate from this comely young soprano in the very near future..."
Mark Thomas Ketterson, Concertonet, review of CD "Operatic Favourites" (January, 2009)

"...She seems to have a lyric voice, but one which has a richness and depth to it... Possibly the best overall piece of singing on the CD is in the opening of Signore ascolta from Turandot. Here Vatralova-Stankov sounds a little like Caballé in the role."
Robert Hugill, Music and Vision, review of CD "Operatic Favourites" (January, 2009)