PLOVDIV

Music

Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra

The origin of the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra dates back to 1945 and is rooted in the 100-year-old orchestral traditions of the largest cultural center of legendary Thracia. Over 90 accomplished instrumentalists have a vast repertoire of classical and modern symphony music. The succession of leading conductors includes the names of Vladi Simeonov, Rouslan Raytchev, Mesrou Mehmedov, Dobrin Petkov, Emil Tchakarov, Dimiter Manolov, Vladimir Ghiaurov and George Dimitrov. The Orchestra has also played under the baton of Jean Yves Gaudin, Janos Ferenchek, Carlo Zecci, Witold Rowicki, Jan Krenz, etc. World famous musicians like Dmitri Shostakovich, Yuri Boukov, Nikolaj Ghiaurov, Svjatoslav Richter, Mstislav Rostropovich have been among many other soloists of the orchestra. The busy concert schedule has recorded guest-performances in Austria, France, Greece, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, etc… The prestige of the Plovdiv Philharmonic has been supported by an impressive number of recorded LPs, audio and video recordings. Only in 1999 the orchestra recorded over 30 CD productions under the direction of Nayden Todorov.

 Plovdiv State Opera

Plovdiv State Opera was established in 1953. The repertoire policy of the Opera is aimed mainly at the great achievements of the European spirit in the art of opera. Under the direction of Maestro Borislav Ivanov, artistic director since 1986, the company has made considerable step ahead in all aspects. The Plovdiv State Opera company has created an appropriate artistic climate for guest producers like Francesco Priviterra, Giancarlo del Monaco, Guy Montavon, Zilke Bembenek, such conductors as Mungh Vungh Chung, Petre Tiboris and singers like Vincenzo Scuderi, Mauro Augustini, Filippo Militano, Anna di Mauro, Susan Binghamann, Kathleen McCulloch, Gena Dimitrova, Stefka Evstatieva, Caludi Caludov and many others. The Verdi Festival, which has been held annually at the Roman Amphitheater, attracts wide audiences not only from Bulgaria, but also from other countries. Plovdiv State Opera has visited many European capitols as well as St. Petersbourg, Gotebourg, Strengnas. The company has taken part in prestigious festivals: “Berlin - European Cultural Capitol’88”, “The Scandinavian Art Festival”, “Mozart Festival”, “Maltafest’90”, “Verdianneum” etc.

 Youth Orchestra “Plovdiv”

Youth Orchestra "PLOVDIV" was founded in 1990. In the short time of its existence the orchestra gave numerous concerts in Bulgaria, Austria, Germany, Slovak Republic and Czech Republic under the baton of Nayden Todorov, Alexander Vladigerov, Kyrill Tarpov, Kyrill Petrenko, Roumen Bayrakov, and Dimiter Panov. Between the soloists of the orchestra war names as Georgy Kanev, Milena Mollova, Rainhold Rieger, Paul Van Ness... The orchestra participated in various festivals in Plovdiv, Vratza, Chirpan, Gabrovo, Pasardjik, Vienna (Vienna Music Seminar - under professor Karl Osterreicher) etc. The Youth Orchestra "Plovdiv" has many CD productions with Nayden Todorov conducting and since 1995 is member of the European Association of Youth Orchestras.

 Music High-School “Dobrin Petkov”

Over its 50 years of existence, the Music High-School “Dobrin Petkov” has provided instruction regarding all classical instruments, ballet and opera singing, and educated over 3000 students. The high-school has a large symphony orchestra, chamber, string, wind, accordeon and guitar orchestras and a choir. Each year over 400 students are taught by about 110 teachers. Graduates from the Music High-School “Dobrin Petkov” work in all kind of musical institutions in the country and all over the world: opera, theaters, orchestras and higher educational establishments. Among these are Emma Tahmizyan - tutor at the Juliard School in New York, Milcho Lewiev - the world famous jazz musician, Prof. Kevork Mardirosyan - at the University of Kansas, Nayden Todorov - Resident Conductor of Haifa Symphony Orchestra - Israel, Elmira Darvarova - concert-mistress of the Metropoliten Opera - New York, Mitcho Dimitrov - concert-master of Duch Radio Symphony Orchestra... Many graduates have continued their education in the Vienna Academy of Music, the Paris Conservatoire and Juliard School in New York.

 National Academy of Music and Dance

In 1972 the Academy was granted the status of an independent higher-education institution with three faculties: Music Pedagogy, Music Folklore and Choreography, and Postgraduate Studies. Some of the courses taught are unique not only in Bulgaria, but in the world. Students can become orchestra and soloist players, music teachers in all classical instruments, choir and orchestra conductors, stage directors and balletists. Recently new specialties were opened - Pedagogy of Fine Arts and Stage Scenery. A number of the most prominent Bulgarian musicians and artists are pedagogs there. Many foreign students study at the Academy. The degrees (BA and MA) are officially recognized by all EU-States and USA.