Vienna celebrates Bulgarian culture with a gala concert on May 24

For the third consecutive year, the initiative of the distinguished Bulgarian pianist Donka Angatscheva — “Gala of Bulgarian Culture and Music” — brings together Bulgarian and European stars in the largest concert outside Bulgaria marking May 24.

On the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, the “Mozart Hall” at the famous Wiener Konzerthaus in the Austrian capital will host one of Bulgaria’s most successful and active contemporary orchestras, Vratsa Symphony Orchestra, the acclaimed jazz trio JP3 led by Jivko Petrov, Bulgarian music and theatre star Orlin Pavlov, celebrated soloist of the Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper) Ildikó Raimondi, Portuguese singer Sandra Pires, violinist Lidia Baich, the Wladigeroff Brothers (Alexander Wladigeroff and Konstantin Wladigeroff), Donka Angatscheva herself, and other special guests.

The concert is among the largest Bulgarian cultural events abroad dedicated to May 24. The first two editions, both sold out, were described as an “unprecedented act of Bulgarian cultural diplomacy.”

• Pianist Donka Angatscheva: I want to create something beautiful and meaningful

The idea of Bulgarian pianist Donka Angatscheva is realized through her artistic initiative “Art Continues to Live” (Die Kunst lebt weiter), in partnership with the cultural organization Tempo Rubato. This year, the Vratsa Symphony Orchestra, led by chief conductor Hristo Pavlov, is participating in the program for the first time. The event is hosted by the young actress of Bulgarian and Spanish descent, Chiara Bazaga.

The program features popular works by Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt, Manuel de Falla, Franz Lehár, Pancho Vladigerov, Parashkev Hadjiev, Alexander Wladigeroff, Jivko Petrov and Eros Ramazzotti.

A special highlight of the program is the duet by Orlin Pavlov and Sandra Pires, who will perform for the first time before the Viennese audience a version of Bryan Adams’ hit “Here I Am”, specially created for the event. The “Gala of Bulgarian Culture and Music” (Opus 3) is held with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Vienna and the Bulgarian Cultural Institute “Haus Wittgenstein”, under the patronage of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to Austria, Desislava Naydenova-Gospodinova.

The artistic director of the project, whose first edition took place on May 25, 2024, is Plovdiv-born Donka Angatscheva, who has enjoyed decades of success on the Austrian music scene. Last summer, the pianist gave a special interview to Radio Bulgaria, in which she explained why she decided to bring together outstanding Bulgarian musicians from all genres at Vienna’s most prestigious music venue:

“I am someone who always wants to create something beautiful, something meaningful. Bulgaria will always live in my heart. It is where I started out and developed as a pianist. Austria is where I found my professional footing. It was important to me to do something that would connect these two worlds — to highlights that Bulgaria is a country with an incredible cultural history. We have wonderful music that deserves to be heard. I decided to build a cultural bridge between the two countries, to bring together truly exceptional talents, because Austria isn't the only place where talent exists.To me, Austria is a work of art — everything there is talent, beauty, music and culture. But we have that in Bulgaria, too. I deeply value my colleagues, and I wanted to present Bulgarian music in the most dignified way possible, on such a world-class stage.”

In the same interview, Donka Angatscheva notes that Austrians have great respect for artists, especially musicians: “Ever since the time of our great opera stars, such as Ghena Dimitrova, Austrians have looked upon Bulgarians with deep respect and know that classical music in Bulgaria is of a very high standard… We are a people who truly deserve to be valued. That is why I create such wonderful events. I believe this should become a tradition in Austria.”

Read also:

• Austrian-Bulgarian pianist Donka Angatscheva to perform in Sofia
• World-class performers are drawn to Bulgaria by its warm and engaged audiences