This year, the summer festival "Stage Under the Stars" will open with an emotionally charged concert-performance titled "Tango with Piazzolla". On Saturday, June 21, at 8:30 PM, State Opera Ruse and its devoted audience will celebrate life and love in the passionate whirlwind of Argentine tango. The sensuous melodies of Astor Piazzolla - widely associated with passion - will come alive through the orchestra of the State Opera Ruse under the baton of Maestro Dimitar Kosev. Featured soloists include special guest Veronika Todorova on accordion, mezzo-soprano Andreana Nikolova, violinist Velizar Prodanov, and bassoonist Ventsislav Spirov. Ballet soloists from the Ruse Opera will also take the stage in the fervent rhythm of tango. Thanks to the original arrangements and Maestro Kosev’s expressive interpretation with the orchestra, the rhythm of Argentine tango evokes a deep sense of freedom, the power of romantic longing, and the trembling anticipation of warm summer nights.
The special guest at this festive musical event, Veronika Todorova, is an extraordinary Bulgarian musician and virtuoso accordionist who has recently returned from abroad, bringing her entire concert activity back home. For nearly 20 years, she built a successful career as a conductor and performing artist across Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Finland, and the European music scene. In 2006, at the World Accordion Championships in Norway, she was named the best accordionist in the world. That same year, she also earned the title “Master of Germany.” Given the physical demands of the instrument, most prominent accordionists globally are men. However, critics in Bulgaria praise Todorova for mastering the accordion to perfection and for her ability to interpret a wide range of styles - from Baroque, classical, and tango nuevo to original compositions and modern ethno-jazz. This versatility makes her a sought-after stage partner for orchestras and solo performers alike.
Ahead of her upcoming performance on the Ruse stage this Saturday, Veronika Todorova shares her thoughts with sincere excitement:
After your performance in February at the Dohodno Zdanie Hall in Ruse, this time you’ll be playing Piazzolla under the open sky. What does this experience of becoming one with the universe mean to you?
Thank you for this question - it’s very special to me. Art and nature represent harmony and perfection united. Outdoor musical events are a dream come true for me. I realized this dream in the Troyan Balkan Mountains. It stemmed from my desire to allow both myself as a performer and the audience to feel that fusion between nature and art. That’s how I founded the International Festival of Music and Arts "Jam on the River" in my home village of Debnevo - an extraordinary festival that welcomes star performers from both Bulgaria and abroad every year under the stars of the Troyan Balkan, beside the rhythmic murmur of the Vidima River. Everything happens in a meadow at the foot of the Balkan Mountains, and it brings a unique feeling of freedom. Because art has no borders, and under the open sky, it unfolds in a unique and unrepeatable way. I can’t wait to feel this same magic in Ruse at the summer festival "Stage Under the Stars", on the open-air stage in front of the Ruse Opera Theatre, during its opening event "Tango with Piazzolla".
What has your artistic journey been like so far, leading to this moment when you are a distinguished accordionist, eagerly awaited by audiences both in Bulgaria and abroad?
My professional path hasn’t been easy. I started playing the accordion at age six in Lovech. I’ve always loved music deeply and never imagined doing anything else. I studied jazz with Prof. Renzo Ruggieri in Italy (some of his works will also be performed in Ruse). After living in Germany for 20 years and graduating from the Music Academy there, I returned to Bulgaria. My journey here took an unexpected turn. In Germany, I had around 180 concerts a year, and I never thought such a thing would be possible in Bulgaria. But I really wanted to contribute to my homeland. In my home village of Debnevo, I introduced a musical innovation: all students from first to fourth grade in the local school began learning to play musical instruments - an idea inspired by my experience in Germany. I also founded the "Jam on the River" music and arts festival in Debnevo, as I already mentioned.
What is your relationship with Astor Piazzolla, the Argentine composer whose music has become so beloved in recent years?
I can boldly say that Piazzolla is one of my favorite composers. I’ve dedicated many years of my artistic development to his music. The accordion must sound like a bandoneon to truly convey Piazzolla’s compositions, and that’s exactly what I’ve worked to achieve. I am incredibly honored that Maestro Kosev chose me for this concert, and I am deeply excited.
What is your personal connection to the accordion? You’ve spent hours each day alone with it since childhood…
That’s a question no one has ever asked me before! Years ago, I used to say the accordion was my best friend. But now I can say that it’s a part of me, because it’s an instrument that can be embraced. With it, I express the deepest parts of my soul. I am eagerly looking forward to meeting the Ruse audience under the stars and igniting that spark of passion and love in our hearts - a spark that lifts us higher.
You’re also socially active, currently Deputy Mayor of Troyan Municipality responsible for Education, Culture, Social and Youth Affairs. How do you balance your calling as a musician with your work for the community?
The music education initiative in my home village of Debnevo and my ambition to organize a nature-based international festival, which turned out to be very successful, shaped my path in Bulgaria. The rapid growth of the festival showed the public that I had returned to serve the greater good. My two main missions have been to engage children with music education and to realize my dream of musical events in nature. Both continue to this day. Most of the children in these small towns are from minority backgrounds, and playing musical instruments helps integrate them and build a sense of community. It’s genuine and so pure. The Mayor of Troyan, Mrs. Donka Mihaylova, invited me to take on the role of Deputy Mayor for the sectors I mentioned, and I accepted the challenge. I enjoy working for the prosperity of Troyan. I’m not one to dwell on what hasn’t been done—I try to make things happen. In such a good team, I truly feel I can be of service. The team works with a vision for the development of the municipality, and that gives me huge motivation to continue creating beautiful things here.
Have you ever regretted returning to Bulgaria, considering your successful European career?
Never! Every day in Bulgaria proves to me that I made the right choice. Those 20 years abroad were valuable, and I’m grateful for everything I learned and experienced. But once again, I can say: returning to my homeland was the best decision I’ve ever made!
Interview by Diana Dimitrova
Photo from Ukki Sachedina
TICKETS available at the “OPERA” box office and HERE.
