Details
The orchestra of the State Opera – Plovdiv is the successor of the Plovdiv Philharmonic – the first and most prestigious state orchestra outside the capital, founded in 1945. Over the years, its chief conductors have included Vladi Simeonov, Ruslan Raychev, Mesru Mehmedov, Dobrin Petkov, Dimitar Manolov, Vladimir Ghiaurov, Borislav Ivanov, Nayden Todorov, Georgi Dimitrov and Alexei Izmirliev. Since the beginning of the 2013/2014 concert season, its music director has been Dian Tchobanov. From the 2024/2025 season, the chief conductor is Grigor Palikarov.
With a diverse repertoire, the ensemble performs both classical and contemporary works, premiering numerous compositions by Bulgarian and international composers.
Their performances include a variety of genres – symphonic, opera, cantata-oratorio, operetta, and ballet – both in Bulgaria and abroad. In recent years, it has become a sought-after partner for renowned rock bands and performers. Distinguished guest conductors from Bulgaria and beyond have collaborated with the orchestra, and it has accompanied world-renowned musicians such as Dmitri Shostakovich, Sviatoslav Richter, Mstislav Rostropovich, Daniil Shafran, Ruggiero Ricci, Henryk Szeryng, Igor Oistrakh, and Leonid Kogan. The long list of guest soloists includes Mincho Minchev, Georgi Badev, Anton Dikov, Bozhidar Noev, Lyudmil Angelov, Nikolay Ghiaurov, Gena Dimitrova, Nikola Gyuzelev, Alexandrina Milcheva, Raina Kabaivanska, Veselina Katsarova, Krasimira Stoyanova, Plamena Mangova and Sonya Yoncheva.
The orchestra has performed in prestigious European venues such as Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, Tonhalle in Bonn, the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, the Philharmonic Hall in St. Petersburg, Brucknerhaus in Linz, auditoriums in Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, and Palma de Mallorca, the Großes Festspielhaus in Salzburg, and the Musikverein in Vienna. It has frequently participated in national and international festivals, including the "Sofia Music Weeks," "March Music Days," "Varna Summer," "New Bulgarian Music," and the Zagreb Contemporary Music Festival.
Touring extensively they have preformed in nearly every European country,
