The bass Atanas Mladenov was born in Sofia and studied there at the Pancho Vladigerov National Music Academy, continuing his training at the Rossini State Conservatory in Pesaro. In 2010 he was awarded first prize in the Karlovo Rose of Euterpe International Competition for young opera singers in Bulgaria. His performances have included appearances in Donizetti’s Rita, Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Madama Butterfly and Tosca and, at the Sofia State Opera, in Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann. Rôles sung at Pesaro include Germano in Rossini’s La scala di seta.