Is there a place that brings together different kinds of exhibitions, dancing, theatre, music, both popular and serious, magic and circus shows and much more? The answer is “yes”, the place - Plovdiv.

This year the numerous events kick off in September and end on Enlighteners’ Day, 1 November with an International Guitar Festival. The opening is on 2 September with a concert by the Symphony Orchestra of the Plovdiv National Opera. Music director Dian Chobanov has invited virtuoso violinists whom the audience will be able to see and hear on the stage of the Antique Theatre.

“I shall begin with Christoph Koncz from the Vienna Philharmonic. I myself have worked with him, both in Bulgaria and in Austria. He is a very interesting young musician with an incredible career. When he was a child he took part in the Hollywood production The Red Violin. He won a place in the Vienna Philharmonic when he was only 18. Another musician the audience at the Antique Theatre will be able to see and hear is Mario Hossen, a violinist with a remarkable solo career and a professor at New Bulgarian University. We met when we were both still at school and we have performed together many times in Bulgaria and abroad.

A total of five musicians will be performing tonight. They will be playing individually as well as in concerts for two or more violins. The programme will be very colourful, as befits the opening of a festival like the Autumn Salon of Arts.”

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• Capriccio No. 5 by Paganini, performed by Mario Hossen

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At the age of only 12 and 14, the brothers Alexander and Martin Zairanov were already “junior students” in Prof. Mario Hossen’s violin class. Though still so young, the two are laureates of prestigious national and international competitions. Here is Dian Chobanov with more about the Autumn Salon of Arts:

“I am looking forward to performing with them, I have never before had the pleasure. The audience in Plovdiv loves them because they know their talent. This selection of virtuoso violinists includes a young lady – Jaclyn Price, one of Prof. Hossen’s students. The two will perform Concerto for two violins in D minor by Johann Sebastain Bach. Another major event is the staging of the opera Aida by Verdi on September 7, the second time this interpretation of the opera will be presented on stage. The premiere was again here in Plovdiv at the Opera Open Festival and attracted an audience of 2,500. The opera is produced by Nina Naydenova who offers a very minimalistic interpretation visually. I am honoured to be able to conduct this work.”

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• Miniature Viennese March by Fritz Kreisler, performed by Jaclyn Price, piano Alina Komitova

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English version: Milena Daynova