Johann Strauss II, known as the “King of the Waltz,” is a remarkable figure in the music of 19th-century Austria. His compositions, overflowing with energy and passion, continue to fill the repertoire of the famous Viennese balls and concert halls around the world and, of course, also in Ruse – the Little Vienna. Strauss II, whose 200th anniversary is celebrated this year with his music worldwide, is renowned for transforming the waltz from a simple folk dance into an elegant and refined artistic expression that in his time appealed both to the demanding aristocracy and the spirited, unrestrained bourgeoisie. Thus, Johann Strauss was not merely a beloved composer but the creator of the musical backdrop for an entire era, filled with brilliance and romance, which along the flow of the Danube still illuminates us today. The waltzes and marches of Strauss II, the core of his oeuvre, imbued with melodic beauty and rhythmic lightness, embody the very pulse of Vienna – a city of art, culture, and pleasure. They are also an essential emotional and professional part of the identity of State Opera Ruse, which, under the direction of Vienna-trained conductor Dimitar Kosev, celebrates the great Johann Strauss with a specially curated concert program.