The prestigious Messembria Orphica Festival for chamber music takes place in Bulgaria’s Nessebar in the period September 9-12. Concerts will take place in "St. Sofia” Cathedral in the seaside town as the program of the festival includes masterpieces of European music performed by world-class musicians. The festival, together with the New Bulgarian University and prominent musicians and professors cooperate with European cultural centers in Paris, Vienna, London, Rome, and Prague. By connecting young Bulgarian talents with musicians in Europe and the world, the forum creates new bridges and shows that classical music as a European cultural tradition continues to unite the world with its eternal spiritual values.

Artistic Director of the festival is great Bulgarian violinist, prof. Mario Hossen, who told us more about this year's edition of the forum:

"The concerts take place in the unique atmosphere of the old town and in the ruins of the „St. Sofia" Cathedral. This is a unique place under the stars and thus unique atmosphere is created for the audience and for performers. It is great pleasure to play in this magical place. The first night is dedicated to classical chamber music. We are to perform Concerto for flute in D major by WA Mozart, as well as Piano Quartet by Robert Schumann and would end with Piano Quintet by Cesar Franck. During the second night the repertoire will be enriched with jazz, tango and classical, and we hope that this would attract the younger audience. We are to perform Astor Piazzolla's "Four Seasons of Buenos Aires", as well as works by two young authors. The third night is traditionally devoted to Baroque music with masterpieces by Vivaldi,  Tartini, JS Bach. Such a festival could communicate well with the overall atmosphere and vision of the modern town of Nesebar. During the festival we also have renowned guest musicians from various European countries."

Prof. Milena Mollova, one of the most renowned pianists in Bulgaria, is co-founder of the festival and participant in the program:

"After the first year I was pleasantly surprised that the City of Nesebar, which has no regular concert life, supports and welcomes so warmly this festival, in which mostly chamber music is performed. This is the highest realm of music and the cobbled streets and old building are reminiscent of Rome and Via Appia. When one walks these streets they feel burden and joy of this past, as well as pleasure that we have such a wonderful town in Bulgaria. It is a pleasure to perform here. The International audience is very competent and we are missionaries who want young people to perform and listen to classical music. This is a struggle that brings great satisfaction.”

Among the young composers mentioned by Mario Hossen is author of this article Vida Pironkova. We wish her success for the premier of her “Sextet Tango.”  Let us wish her good luck!

English: Alexander Markov