World famous opera singer Soyna Yoncheva earned the title “Musician of the year, 2023” in the national survey of the classical music show called Allegro Vivace of the Bulgarian National Radio’s Horizont channel.

• Sonya Yoncheva - the Bulgarian opera voice from the world stages

She was unable to attend last night’s ceremony in the BNR’s Studio No. 1 to receive her award but, in a video address, thanked listeners for the honour she has been accorded.

“I am accepting this award as a mark of appreciation and a serious responsibility because it is our duty, as public figures, to serve as an example and an inspiration to future generations so they will feel a need for need art and seek the immense vistas it opens up. The BNR has been an integral part of this cause for many years,” she said.

Sonya Yoncheva left Bulgaria at the age of 19 to study opera in Geneva, and her star rose in 2010 when she won Placido Domingo’s world opera competition Operalia. She now performs on the most prestigious opera stages in the world; her voice is often compared to the voice of Maria Callas