The Sofia Philharmonic, the North Macedonian Philharmonic and the Thessaloniki Symphony Orchestra shared the stage for the third time
A monumental performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana in Skopje’s City Park brought to a close an ambitious international project that, for the first time, united the Sofia Philharmonic, the North Macedonian Philharmonic and the State Symphony Orchestra of Thessaloniki on a single stage.
Following concerts in Sofia and Thessaloniki, the project’s finale took place before an audience of more than 20,000 people in Skopje. The event was broadcast live on North Macedonia’s national television and became one of the most significant cultural events of the summer in the region.
Among the official guests were the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Zoran Ljutkov, and the Minister of Education, Vesna Janevska.
More than 200 musicians from Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Greece — orchestral players, choristers and soloists — performed under the baton of Maestro Nayden Todorov, the
project’s initiator and conductor. The performance also featured the Chorus of the North Macedonian Opera and Ballet, the children’s choir “Piccolo” and the choir of the Music School of Thessaloniki. Soloists for the evening were soprano Ana Durlovska, tenor Nikolaos Spanos and baritone Ivo Yordanov.
Orff’s monumental cantata rang out under an open sky with a sweeping orchestral and choral ensemble, and the final performance of “O Fortuna” — one of the most
recognisable pieces of music in the world — was met with prolonged applause and a standing ovation.
The project, which travelled through Sofia, Thessaloniki and Skopje, demonstrated the power of culture to connect people and nations across borders. United on stage, musicians from three countries sent a message of collaboration, trust and a shared cultural future.
For the Sofia Philharmonic, this concert is further proof that music can serve as a genuine diplomatic ambassador, and that major cultural projects have the power to transform the Balkans into a space of encounter rather than division.
Media Contact:
- Nikolov
- Sofia Philharmonic
- pr@sofiaphilharmonic.eu
- www.sofiaphilharmonic.com
