On 23 November 2026 at 7:00 p.m., Bulgaria Hall will host the gala concert marking the conclusion of the first edition of the Gardens of Spain Festival.
This spectacular evening, dedicated to Spanish music, will feature two of the most beloved and iconic works of the 20th century – Manuel de Falla’s piano and orchestra concerto Nights in the Gardens of Spain and Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez. In the first, piano and orchestra create a rich and colourful musical landscape inspired by the atmosphere of Spanish gardens, while the second transforms the guitar into a vivid and unforgettable solo voice.
The soloists will be pianist Veneta Neynska and guitarist Georgi Dimitrov–Jojo, who will share the stage with Camerata Bulgarica under the baton of Spanish conductor Pablo Urbina.
The gala concert also has a special commemorative significance: 2026 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Manuel de Falla and the 125th anniversary of the birth of Joaquín Rodrigo. The concert date – 23 November – coincides with de Falla’s birthday, turning the festival’s finale into a special musical celebration in honour of one of Spain’s most significant composers.
The Gardens of Spain Festival concludes with a musical journey through two different yet interconnected facets of Spain – from the mystical beauty and colours of nocturnal gardens to the sunlit rhythms and unmistakable voice of the guitar in Rodrigo’s music.
The event is held with the exclusive support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Bulgaria. InterContinental Hotel Sofia is the official accommodation partner of the Gardens of Spain Festival. Communications Partner – Bulgarian-Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
PERFORMERS
Veneta Neynska – piano
Georgi Dimitrov–Jojo – guitar
Pablo Urbina – conductor
Camerata Bulgarica
PROGRAMME
Ruperto Chapí (1851–1909)
El tambor de granaderos – Overture (1896)
Emmanuel Chabrier (1841–1894)
España – Rhapsody for Orchestra (1883)
Manuel de Falla (1876–1946)
Noches en los jardines de España – Nights in the Gardens of Spain (1915)
I. En el Generalife
II. Danza lejana
III. En los jardines de la Sierra de Córdoba
Joaquín Rodrigo (1901–1999)
Concierto de Aranjuez – Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra (1939)
I. Allegro con spirito
II. Adagio
III. Allegro gentile
Georges Bizet (1838–1875)
Carmen – Selection from Suites Nos. 1 and 2 (1875)
