Carrying on the tradition the "Varna Summer"  International Music Festival 2018 began with the solemn sounds of the "Vardar" symphonic rhapsody - the genius work by one of the founders of the first Bulgarian festival - the composer Pancho Vladigerov. The guest-conductor from Italy, Piero Romano, honorably brought the orchestra to a spectacular reading of the native classic.

EFA President, Governor Jan Briers, applauded "Varna Summer" as one of the longstanding, but constantly evolving festivals. “Varna is one of the smart cities in Europe and and one of the reasons is  the "Varna Summer" Festival. The economy of one country grows stronger with tourists, and tourists go to places where festivals exist. -That's why the smart rulers invest in culture."

Official guests included the Deputy Minister for Culture, Rumen Dimitrov, the chairwoman of the Commission of Culture at the Municipal Council and director of Varna Opera - Varna Daniela Dimova. The artistic advisor of the festival - the great pianist Ludmil Angelov - reminded that “Varna Summer” has been the pillar of the festivals in Bulgaria.

Bulgarian soprano Alexandrina Pendachanska took care of the apotheosis of the evening with iconic arias from operas by Handel, Rossini, Mascagni and Verdi . The opera diva was so radiant on the stage, the excitement of musicians and audience was enormous. Flashbacks of key moments in her career brought everyone into a virtual space of spirit in which memories and splendid live performances were woven into a thrilling musical confession. The audience rose to their feet with stormy ovations. 

This grand opening is just the beginning of 30 performances the "Varna Summer"  and they will extend the aesthetic boundaries of the season until early November.