Pravets Art Nights blends Bulgarian classics with James Bond hits

Set against the scenic backdrop of Lake Pravets, the Pravets Art Nights festival has established itself as one of Bulgaria's leading summer celebrations of classical music. Now in its 20th year, the event combines performances by acclaimed musicians with the natural beauty of the foothills of the Balkan Mountains, just north of Sofia.

Founded by the late opera singer Hristina Angelakova as the MozArt Festival, the event was relaunched as Pravets Art Nights in 2023. A newly expanded lakeside stage has since allowed organisers to present larger-scale classical and crossover productions.

This year's edition opens on July 17 with a concert by the Sofia Philharmonic under the baton of its director Nayden Todorov. Austrian violinist of Bulgarian descent Bojidara Kouzmanova-Vladar will perform works by Bulgarian composers Georgi Zlatev-Cherkin, Pancho Vladigerov, Petko Staynov and Veselin Stoyanov.

On the morning of July 18, the Bella Voce vocal ensemble will present a chamber programme featuring music by Petko Staynov and Manuel de Falla at the Pravets community cultural centre. Admission is free, and audiences will have the opportunity to meet conductor Nayden Todorov after the concert during the festival's traditional autograph session.

The evening programme shifts from classical music to the silver screen with The Music of James Bond, featuring specially orchestrated versions of themes from films including GoldenEye, Diamonds Are Forever, The World Is Not Enough and Skyfall. The concert brings together the Sofia Philharmonic with Bulgarian singers Ruth Koleva, Krista, Yana Yancheva, Zhivko Stanev and Bobi Kosatkata.

Editor: Desislava Semkovska