The second edition of the summer festival "Under Sofia's open sky " organized by the Bulgarian National Radio kicks off today. On three consecutive nights (from today until June 18) the orchestras of the Bulgarian National Radio invite Sofia residents and guests to their concerts at the open-air stage outside the Ivan Vazov National Theatre. Once again music fans can hear the three "primary colors" in the musical palette of the BNR's music groups - folk, jazz and symphonic music.

The BNR Folk Orchestra opens the series as its conductor Dimitar Hristov has selected the best solo pieces from the repertoire of the group performed and recorded in recent years. Special guests this year include singers Nelly Andreeva and Boriana Milanova as well as duo Kristina Beleva (gadulka) and Petar Milanov (guitar).

The program of the Big Band of the BNR is expected on June 17th. Most of the pieces in it belong to Jerry Bergonzi. After his participation in the Jazz Forum in Stara Zagora and two master classes, the world famous saxophonist will be happy to play with the wonderful musicians of the band, according to his own words.

"It was great to take part in the jazz festival in Stara Zagora. The city is wonderful, I met and played with great musicians. I tried a good local wine”. He also said that he knows Plamen Karadonev in Boston as he invited him to join one of his projects, and Plamen was also the person who invited Jerry to come to Bulgaria. My impressions are indeed very good and I even wonder if I should not stay here," Jerry Bergonzi said smiling.

Here is what the Big Band conductor Antoni Donchev said:

"We have the great pleasure to play with one of the most exciting saxophonists in the world. Some of his own songs that you will hear are specially arranged for the occasion. Also Plamen Karadonev will play in the band. Some time ago he was pianist for several years in the Big Band of the BNR, then left for the US, where he lived for 15 years. And an interesting detail for the citizens and guests of the capital - if the weather is not good, the concert will be held in the first recording studio of the BNR."

The three-day festival "Under the open sky of Sofia" ends with the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra with conductor Grigor Palikarov. The soloists are from the ranks of the orchestra. Violinist Galina Koycheva - Mircheva, concertmaster of the group, will perform Melody by Tchaikovsky and Love's Greeting by Edward Elgar. Flutist Yavor Zhelev and clarinet player Yordan Radevski will perform the solo in Tarantella of Camille Saint-Saens. Orchestral works in the program are by Pancho Vladigerov, Jacques Offenbach, Giacomo Rossini, Leonard Bernstein, Antonin Dvorak and others.

English Rossitsa Petcova