Varna Summer International Music Festival 2025

International Music Festival VARNA SUMMER 2025 is on the edge of its 100th anniversary and proudly announces that with a stylish ambitious program, in-line with the trends of the leading festivals in Europe.

From June 21th to September 17th, the citizens of Varna together with the sea capital’s guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the performances of prestigious European orchestras, world renown instrumentalists/artists/musicians, rising stars and extraordinary Bulgarian musicians. The program includes classical masterpieces, as well as rarely performed music from different epochs.

Anniversaries

200 years from the birth of Johan Strauss II

The whole world celebrates the jubilee of the King of the Waltz and Varna joins the world with the fabulous Operetta Gala conducted by Vladimir Kiradjiev. This tribute concert entitled “Johan Strauss II. The Myth” will transform Varna into musical Vienna – not on Danube but at the Black sea coast. The important anniversary will be marked also with a special concert for two pianos, dedicated to Strauss’ waltzes performed by Eduard Kutrovatz and Katerina Titova.

150 years from the births of Maurice Ravel and Fritz Kreisler

Born in 1875, these two great composers left a remarkable mark into the 20th century music. Trio Kreisler from Vienna will present Fritz Kreisler’s virtuoso pieces with the special guest appearance of the Bulgarian pianist Dora Deliyska.

Maurice Ravel’s chamber music will be a part of the concerts that are part of the International Symposium.

100th Anniversary of Luciano Berio’s Birth

The festival will pay homage to this important Italian innovator by presenting his arrangements of Beatles’ songs for a female voice (inspired by composer’s encounter with Paul McCartney), as well as Berio’s emblematic Sequenza III – a dramatic essay about the connection between the singer and her voice, performed by the impressive Natalia Stepanska (winner of “The Voice of Spain”).

150 years from the birth of Mikalojus Čiurlionis

Founder of Lithuanian symphonic music and world famous painter, we will get to know more about his music with the concert of the quartet Ciurlionis – national ensemble of Lithuania, named after the composer with a mission to keep the essence of his creative spirit.

75 years from the birth of the world famous violinist Mincho Minchev

Varna Summer Festival will celebrate the jubilee of the doyen of the Bulgarian violinists accordingly. Svetlin Rousses, another famous Bulgarian violinist, will perform all 24 Paganini capriccios and the 6 solo sonatas by Eugene Ysaye at a concert marathon, playing the legendary Stradivarius violin of Mincho Minchev. A rare technical and artistic challenge!

Orchestras

The visiting orchestras are one of the most important dimensions of every festival – each of them brings its unique vision and creative approach.

The National Symphony Orchestra of Romania’s concert is among the important accents of the Festival. A symphony orchestra that emerged based on the largest educational musical program in Romania, it is a great example of sustainable development of young talents, dedicated to the mission of spreading the national culture of Romania. NSOR comes to Varna with an all-Beethoven program and high-class soloists Itamar Goldman (piano), Svetlana Makarova (violin) and Lilyana Kehayova (cello).

Sinfonia Varsovia

Formed in 1984 as a result of the expansion of the Polish Chamber Orchestra, triggered by the legendary violinist Yehudi Menuhin, Sinfonia Varsovia orchestra had prepared a special concert dedicated to the Polish presidency of the Council of Europe. The program includes works by W.A. Mozart and leading Polish composers interpreted by the renowned soloists Candida Thompson, Mario Hossen and Harriet Krijgh.

1B1 Scandinavian Baroque Ensemble is one of the artistic transformations of this innovative Norwegian orchestra. Founded in 2008 by the visionary violinist Jan Bjoranger, it quckly became famous for its bold interpretations and new formats. The ensemble performs regularly at the most prestigious festivals across Europe. In Varna, musicians from the Scandinavian Baroque Ensemble will perform under the baton of Bjoranger himself.

The National Youth Orchestra of Ukraine will bring the energy and brightness of the new generation. With the passion of these talented young musicians (12 to 22 years old), this orchestra stands out as an inspiring example of the passion to make music in spite of the challenges of the time. On the festival stage, led by the conductor Oxana Lyniv, they will collaborate in quite an original way with Paganini Ensemble Vienna. The program is appealing, with works by Paganini, Gabriele Proy (world premiere), Eugene Ysaye and Brahms and the solo violinists Mario Hossen and Andrii Murza.

On the Bulgarian saide, the orchestral presence is also strong, represented by Cantus Firmus Orchestra and Varna State Opera Symphony Orchestra, the heart of the festival tradition for years.

Conductors

Oxana Lyniv is one of the most influential young conductors in Europe. She is the first woman to conduct at the Bayreuth Festival and the first ever woman to lead an Italian Opera House (Teatro Comunale di Bologna). In 2024, she made her highly acclaimed debut at Metropoliten opera and conducted Vienna Philharmonic in Salzburg.

Cristian Mandeal is a legendary Romanian conductor, student of Herbert von Karajan and Sergio Celibidache. Principal Conductor and General Music Director of the Bucharest Philharmonic for 22 years, he had conducted prestigious orchestras in Israel, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Engalnd.

The opening concert of the Festival is “in the hands” of maestro Emil Tabakov, an important figure in Bulgarian musical culture.

Georgi Dimitrov, a relentless perfectionist, will conduct the magnificent oratorio “Seasons” composed by Joseph Haydn at the final concert of Baroque and Classicism series.

Two conductors, both of them representing the high level and traditions of the Bulgarian conductors’ school.

Chamber Music

Vienna String Quartet adds even more elegance and class – four brilliant musicians from the Vienna Philharmonic, two concertmasters, including our very own Albena Danailova and the principal viola and principal cello. The repertoire they have chosen to perform in Varna includes music by Haydn, Mozart and Debussy.

Shostakovich Ensemble is coming again to Varna with Beethoven’s famous Ghost trio named after some Shakespeare’s poetic references; and Antonin Dvorak’s Dumki, one the audience’s favorite trios of all times, rich in traditional Bohemian folklore motives.

Virtuoso pianist Vesko Stambolov has prepared for his native Varna a program entirely dedicated to the Bulgarian music for piano – pieces by Dimitar Nenov, as well as by undeservedly forgotten Ivan Dimov and Stefan Ikonomv along with works by Alexander Raichev, Alexander Tekeliev and Krassimir Taskov. A recital that has it all – brilliance, depth and national spirit!

With more than 2500 concerts all over Europe, Roman Perucki is a central figure in the art of playing the organ nowadays. He had performed at Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris, he had been chief organist of the Gdansk Cathedral for years and he is the professor of the organ class at the Music Academy in Gdansk. Roman Perucki’s recital within the Baroque section of the Festival will bring grace and mastery at the highest level.

Summer Academy

This year the Summer Academy brings together young talented musicians for the master classes of prof. Mincho Minchev (violin), Dimitar Burov (viola), Emil Ivanov (opera singing) and Georgi Vassilev (guitar).

Young Talents

Supporting young and talented musicians has always been an important mission for the International Music Festival “Varna Summer”.

Therefore, the soloist at the opening concert this year is the impressive horn player Viktor Theodossiev. Only 19 years old, he has won numerous important international competitions. Viktor got a special invitation to join the famous Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester for a tour conducted by Berlin Philharmoniker’s Kiril Petrenko.

This edition’s big project – Haydn’s oratorio Seasons will give the stage to the young singers from the vocal {KOLA of world famous Bulgarian prima Krassimira Stoyanova; also at the Operetta Gala with Johan Strauss’ music the audience will see rising stars from Vienna State Music University.

Another concert full of energy and surprises is the