6 July

THE SINFONIETTA ORCHESTRA was founded in 2004 at the Varna Municipality. During the short period of its existence the orchestra has won a strong reputation in the city’s cultural life for its refined performances featuring outstanding Bulgarian soloists and young talents. Priority on the formation of the orchestra is the relationship between experienced orchestra performers and younger musicians, having successful appearances at festivals and competitions. Experience and youth mutually enrich each other. Art director of the Orchestra is the Bulgarian composer and conductor Prof. Milko Kolarov.In 2006 the Sinfonietta was awarded with the prestigious Varna Prize for its successful appearances and contributions to the changes in the music life style of Varna.

MILKO KOLAROV (born 1946) graduated with excellence in two subjects at the Music Academy of Sofia - composition with Prof. Pancho Vladigerov and orchestral conducting with Prof. Konstantin Iliev. In 1986-87 he specialized in Paris. Awarded with a number of prestigious national and international prizes. Professor in instrumental studies, symphonic orchestration and conducting. Milko Kolarov’s works have been published, recorded and performed successfully in many countries all over the world. He has been a jury member at various national and international contests. Chairman of the Dobri Hristov Foundation.

The violoncellist ANATOLI KRASTEV graduated at the Conservatory in Tunisia with Gvido Evraet at Pancho Vladigerov State Music Academy in Sofia with Prof. Velko Karastoyanov. He specialized with Andres Navarra and Janos Starker. A. Krastev has been a soloist of all Bulgarian orchestras and a number of European and American orchestras. He has given recitals in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. He is a professor at P. Vladigerov State Music Academy where he is an associate rector now. He has tutored master classes in France, England, Belgium, Greece, Brazil, Macedonia. He is an honorary president of the Academy for Young Talents in Marseille.

Founder and long standing conductor (since 1948) of MAITRISE GABRIEL FAURE CHOIR - France has been Therese Farre-Fizio. This women’s formation has performed mostly works by French composers from the early 20th century (Faure, Debussy, Poulenc, Messiaen) and pieces by contemporary composers. Olivier Messiaen wrote especially for the choir Trois Petites Liturgies de la Presence Divine, performed many times on different occasions. In 2008 Gabriel Faure Foundation celebrates its 60th anniversary and the Choir will have its 93rd concert tour in Bulgaria. Among their recent tours are those in Japan - 2001 and 2004, Quebec - 2001 and 2003, St. Petersburg - 2003, 2006 and 2007, in many European countries, as well as in Tunisia and Marocco.

THE GIRLS’ CHOIR has a rich artistic biography. Since 1982 under the direction of its conductor Zaharina Milkova-Nikitasova the choir has won prestigious awards at six international choral competitions and a number of diplomas at various festivals, workshops in Europe and the USA. The choir’s repertoire ranges works from the short song to the cantata-oratorio genre as well as works by Bulgarian composers.