site.btaBeethoven's 9th Symphony to Be Performed on Occasion of World War Two 80th Anniversary

Beethoven's 9th Symphony will be performed by over 300 musicians, a choir and soloists at Sofia’s National Palace of Culture on May 11. The concert, under the auspices of the European Parliament, marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two and the 40th anniversary of the proclamation of the Ode to Joy as the anthem of the European Union, organizers said.

Performing will be Shumen Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro Slavil Dimitrov, the Sofia Youth Philharmonic with the National School of Music, Alexandrina Mihaylova - soprano, Bilyana Mihaylova - alto, Mihail Mihaylov - tenor, Plamen Beykov - bass, and the Great Choir of Bulgaria.

The Great Choir of Bulgaria, formed specifically for the occasion, brings together choirs from all over the country.