“Bulgarian Classical Concerts – Los Angeles” officially starts on November 6

published on 11/6/25 11:50 AM

Photo: Bulgarian Classical Concerts – Los Angeles

The new nonprofit foundation Bulgarian Classical Concerts – Los Angeles, founded by two exceptionally successful and talented Bulgarian women – violinist Blagomira Lipari and composer Penka Kouneva – with the mission of promoting Bulgarian classical music in the United States, will officially begin its activities with an impressive concert on November 6.

“Bulgarian Classical Concerts – Los Angeles” will promote Bulgarian classical music in the USA

The event is organized in cooperation with the Consulate General of Bulgaria in Los Angeles and the Bulgarian Foundation for Art, Culture, and Education (BgFACE) in Sacramento, California. Before the start of the musical program, the BgFACE Awards will be presented for the fourth time.

From the very announcement of the “Bulgarian Classical Concerts – Los Angeles” initiative, the emphasis has been placed on the ideas of unity, cultural bridges, and connections. Therefore, along with Bulgarian works, the program also promises to feature masterpieces of world classical music. The concert on November 6 will open in that very spirit – with Danse sacrée et profane by Claude Debussy. Originally written for harp and string orchestra, the dances will be performed in an arrangement for string quartet, featuring harpist Carter Williams from the University of Southern California.

The concert program includes three world premieres: “Maiden” (Devoika) by Georgi Andreev for harp and string quartet (commissioned specially by Bulgarian Classical Concerts – Los Angeles), “Blessed Land” by Plamen Donev, arranged for violin and harp by Elitsa Alexandrova, and “Yana e ludo mamila" for piano and string quartet by Penka Kouneva.

The concert also will feature the U.S. premiere of the emblematic “Fire-Dancers’ Chain dance” (Nestinarsko horo) from Marin Goleminov’s dance drama "Nestinarka", arranged for string quartet by Rumen Boyadjiev Jr.. Another highlight, “Distorted Mirror” for solo cello by the brilliant Bulgarian cellist Irina Chirkova, will have its West Coast premiere.

Irina Maleeva

The audience will also enjoy one of the gems of Bulgarian musical art – “Song” from the Bulgarian Suite, Op. 21 by Pancho Wladigeroff.

The concert finale will feature a true star of American and European film and theater – Irina Maleeva, actress, singer, and producer, discovered for cinema by Federico Fellini himself. She will perform two songs from her acclaimed original show “Illusions”, created in collaboration with renowned Broadway director and writer Randy Johnson.

Alongside Irina Maleeva, Irina Chirkova, and Penka Kouneva – who will perform their own works – the concert will feature distinguished Bulgarian and American musicians with impressive careers: violinists Moni Simeonov, Blagomira Lipari, and Boryana Popova; violist Ariana Solotoff; pianist Clara Cheng; prominent American composer and pianist Michele Brourman; and singer Janice Levy.

A Grammy for Bulgarian composer Penka Kouneva

The organizers express special gratitude to the Consul General of Bulgaria in Los Angeles, Boyko Hristov, and his wife Silvia Hristova, as well as to all donors and friends of Bulgarian Classical Concerts – Los Angeles for their support in fulfilling the foundation’s mission: to build cultural bridges between the Bulgarian diaspora and audiences, performers, and cultural institutions in the United States.

Read also: