Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices performs at Cairo Opera House

As part of the celebrations marking 100 years of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Egypt, Bulgaria’s renowned choir, “The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices”, performed at the Cairo Opera House this Wednesday.

Accompanied by maestro Georgi Andreev and the Quarto Quartet, the choir presented a programme featuring Bulgarian folk songs and original compositions. A particular highlight of the evening was Andreev’s virtuoso performances on the gadulka, a traditional Bulgarian stringed instrument. The performers received prolonged applause from the audience.

The performance also featured Egyptian instrumentalists and members of the Cairo Celebration Choir, accompanied on the piano by conductor Nayer Nagui, who recently conducted the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The joint performances of Bulgarian and Egyptian songs emphasised the cultural ties between the two countries.

The event was held under the patronage of Egypt’s minister of culture and was attended by government officials, representatives of diplomatic missions, members of Egypt’s business community, Prince Mohamed Ali and Princess Noal, as well as members of the Bulgarian community in Egypt and Sudan.

In his anniversary address, Bulgaria’s ambassador to Egypt, Deyan Katrachev, reviewed the history of relations between the two countries, noting the recent growth in trade and investment. He also highlighted the long-standing cultural links between the two countries, including Professor Ivan Filev's role in restoring the Cairo Opera Orchestra in the 1990s, as well as the contributions of Bulgarian musicians such as concertmaster Tsvetelina Krasteva and trumpeter Dimitar Dimitrov.

The centenary celebrations will continue with a concert by the choir at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina on 14 February.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova