01 may 2023 Exhibition "50 years of Sofia Music Weeks"

On May 4, at 5:30 p.m., the exhibition dedicated to the "Sofia Music Weeks" festival will be officially opened in the lobby of the Burgas State Opera.
The exhibition features photos from the more than 50-year history of the oldest Sofia Music Weeks festival in the capital. Having preserved the mission and vision of its creators (Pancho Vladigerov, Lyubomir Pipkov, Bogomil Sturshenov, etc.), for decades it has been a bridge between East and West, a launch stage for young talents, a provocateur and promoter of new Bulgarian creativity, a place for premieres and creative exchange of musicians.
"Unity in diversity" is the motto of "Sofia Music Weeks", which this year runs from May 23 to June 30, the organizers of the international music festival announced.
Over 100 events with over 400 participants from 18 countries are planned - Austria, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Israel, Canada, China, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Russia, USA, Serbia, France, South Korea, Japan.
In focus are MYX'D - ensemble, Mincho Minchev - artist, symphonic music - genre, percussion - instrument in focus, Austria - country, and Asen Avramov - composer.
A number of anniversaries will also be celebrated - 190 of Johannes Brahms, 150 of Sergei Rachmaninov and Fyodor Chaliapin, 125 - George Gershwin, 100 - Dobrin Petkov, Mikhail Milkov, Petar Stupel, Radosveta Boyadzhieva, Trifon Silyanovski, Djord Ligeti, Maria Kalas, 90 - Svetozar Donev, Dimitar Hristov, Union of Bulgarian Composers, Symphony Orchestra-Sliven and Academic Choir "Angel Manolov", 75 - by Vladimir Panchev, 70 - by the Pleven Philharmonic, and 50 - by the Symphony, Vratsa.
The international festival "Sofia Music Weeks" opened for the first time on May 24, 1970. It is gradually establishing itself as the most significant international musical event for Sofia and the country. Today it is a non-governmental organization and sets an example for younger festivals with its integrity, experience and prestige.
Upholding its main goal - to present to the Bulgarian public the most significant world and Bulgarian musical creativity and performance art at the highest level - the festival received international recognition with its admission in 1982 to the Association of European Music, Theater and Ballet Festivals , which includes prestigious festivals from all over Europe.
Proof of the high authority gained by "Sofia Music Weeks" is the participation in the festival of symphony orchestras, such as the Vienna, Berlin, Leningrad Philharmonic, opera theaters and ballet companies from Italy, France, Sweden, Great Britain, etc. countries, world-class conductors (Claudio Abbado, Gennady Rozhdestvensky...), famous instrumentalists and singers (Henrik Schering, Leonid Kogan, Alexis Weissenberg, Janos Starker, Elena Obraztsova, José Carreras, Mirella Freni, Piero Cappuccili...), world-famous chamber musicians ensembles ("Virtuosi di Roma", "Moscow Virtuosi", Quartet "Amadeus", Quartet "Smetana" ...) and many others. The Bulgarian presence is worthily protected by the Sofia Philharmonic, the Sofia Opera, the National Philharmonic Choir "Svetoslav Obretenov", the Symphony Orchestra and Mixed Choir of the Bulgarian National Radio, the Chamber Ensemble "Sofia Soloists", choirs and orchestras from outside the capital (Plovdiv, Ruse, Varna, Burgas). , prominent soloists-instrumentalists and singers (Mincho Minchev, Georgi Badev, Anton Dikov, Nikolay Gyaurov, Raina Kabaivanska, Alexandrina Milcheva...).
In addition to concerts and opera and ballet performances, the festival programs also include other forms: scientific conferences (round tables) in the field of music theory, photo exhibitions, screenings of filmed operas, master classes for young instrumentalists and singers. Anniversaries of major Bulgarian and foreign composers are celebrated, first performances of significant musical works (including new ones) take place, the cycle "Podium of the Young Performer" is a platform for talented young Bulgarian and foreign musicians.
Come to this intriguing cultural forum, after which you can also visit the performance of DON GIOVANNI - from 19:00 in the Opera hall!