On 1 October – the International Music Day, the people of Ruse will not only be able to listen to classical music, but also to conduct the Ruse State Opera Orchestra themselves
On Thursday, 1 October, from 6.00 pm, the square in front of the Revenue Building will be transformed into an unusual concert stage, where the audience will have the chance to take on the role of conductor.
The ‘Ruse Conducts the Opera’ initiative will bring together soloists and orchestra members from the Ruse State Opera, whilst Maestro Dimitar Kosev, Chief Conductor of the Ruse Opera, will be at the conductor’s podium. Tamara Lazarova will be the concertmaster.
The concert programme features a selection of the most famous and beloved classical works. The special highlight, however, will be the opportunity for anyone who wishes to do so to take to the conductor’s podium and conduct a musical excerpt alongside the professional orchestra.
Participants do not need to have any musical training or previous experience. What matters most here is enthusiasm, artistic flair and the courage to perform in front of dozens of professional musicians.
The idea for ‘Ruse Conducts the Opera’ came from Maestro Dimitar Kosev and was first realised in 2020, again on 1 October.
Even back then, the initiative sparked enormous interest. People from Ruse of all ages – from young children to the elderly – took to the conductor’s podium, keen to experience what it feels like to lead an entire orchestra. Among the participants were also former orchestra members, who this time found themselves on the other side – with a baton in hand.
For the audience, this is not only entertainment but also an opportunity to gain a first-hand insight into the profession of the conductor – one of the most demanding and impressive roles in musical performance.
Getting dozens of musicians to follow your every move, feeling the pulse of the music and, for a few minutes, leading a professional orchestra is a challenge that is hard to forget.
And this year, the orchestra members and soloists of the Ruse State Opera are once again ready to help any brave resident of Ruse get to grips with the conductor’s baton.
Come and give it a go! Perhaps it will be your gesture that kicks off the next musical adventure.
"RUSE CONDUCTS THE OPERA"
1st October 2026, 6 p.m.
The square in front of the Revenue Building – Ruse
Soloists and Orchestra of the Ruse State Opera
Conductor:Dimitar Kosev
Concertmaster: Tamara Lazarova
Free admission.
