On March 13, at the Theater Hall in Ruse, we welcome Ruse Festival Orchestra— a one-of-a-kind project initiated by the management and the School Board of the National School of Arts “Prof. Veselin Stoyanov” in Ruse, driven by the idea of uniting the creative efforts of the school’s hundreds of alumni from around the world.

Founded in 2010, over more than 15 years the project has successfully combined tradition and innovation, relying on established and world-renowned Bulgarian musicians.

Symphonic concert featuring world-class artists

The Festival Orchestra will present a symphonic concert under the baton of one of Bulgaria’s leading conductors, Maestro Emil Tabakov, who has been part of the project since its very beginning.

In 2026, the project attracts stellar names to its program, including the world-famous Bulgarian opera prima Krasimira Stoyanova - soprano and the brilliant young French pianist Lucas Debargue.

Emil Tabakov is a conductor internationally recognized for his remarkable interpretative depth and artistic scope. With an impressive international career, he has conducted leading orchestras across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australia, becoming a true ambassador of Bulgarian culture. The composer of eleven symphonies and numerous other works, Tabakov is among the most significant figures in contemporary Bulgarian musical life.

Krasimira Stoyanova is one of Bulgaria’s most distinguished opera singers, whose brilliant international career has taken her to the stages of the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, La Scala in Milan, and the Salzburg Festival. Renowned for her exceptional voice and artistry, she holds the prestigious title of Kammersängerin of the Vienna State Opera. With numerous recordings, awards, and accolades, Krasimira Stoyanova is one of the most beloved opera singers in Bulgaria.

An original selection of works

The program features exclusive masterpieces such as the famous Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff and the celebrated final scene Mondscheinmusik from the opera Capriccio by Richard Strauss.

A captivating concerto for piano and orchestra

Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 is an exceptionally gripping and deeply emotional work. Its history is particularly fascinating. When Rachmaninoff began composing the concerto, he was plunged into despair and creative stagnation following the harsh criticism of his Symphony No. 1. The composer underwent the then-popular hypnotherapy under the guidance of Nikolay Dahl—a neurologist, psychiatrist, and psychologist who worked with other prominent artists. As a result of the successful therapy, Rachmaninoff returned to composing with unexpected strength. This highly successful concerto marked not only his return to the world of music, but also his return to himself.

The concerto opens with the sounds of the piano in a calm first movement, which gradually develops into an interplay of various themes, masterfully balanced between the orchestra and the piano. It is among the composer’s most successful works, distinguished by its beautiful lyrical themes and memorable main melody. That melody so impressed American singer Eric Carmen that he based his hit ballad “All by Myself” on it.

Mondscheinmusik from the opera Capriccio

Capriccio is Richard Strauss’s final opera and is often described as a “conversation” about the importance of music and poetry in the performing arts. The plot centers on a poet and a musician who present their works to a young countess, each hoping to win her love.

The opera’s final section captivates with its openly romantic tone. Before the memorable conclusion, the characters are drawn into a lively debate about art and love, while the prelude Mondscheinmusik introduces an elegant shift in mood.

The concert is part of the “Ruse Art Fest,” implemented under Contract No. BG-RRP-11.021-0006-C01, NCF, Procedure No. BG-RRP-11.021 “Grant Scheme: A New Generation of Local Cultural Policies for Large Municipalities.”

ADMISSION BY INVITATION

COLLECT YOUR INVITATION starting February 4 at the ticket office of the March Music Days Festival at the Theater Hall.