The Bulgarian National Symphony Orchestra (BNSO) will celebrate the 2026 New Year in China with a four-city tour, bringing its signature grand Romantic repertoire and rich orchestral sound to audiences across the country. The tour schedule is as follows:
December 29, 2025 – Langfang Silk Road Art Center Concert Hall
December 30, 2025 – Xi’an Grand Theatre
January 1, 2026 – Beijing Music Hall
January 2, 2026 – Tsinghua University New Qinghua Hall
Conducted by Nayden Todorov, BNSO’s tour promises performances of brilliant, expressive orchestral works, highlighting the ensemble’s renowned balance, technical precision, and luminous sound.
Born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Nayden Todorov began his musical education at the Dobrin Petkov Music School and later studied under masters including Krastyu Marev, Alexander Vladigerov, Karl Österreicher, Uroš Lajovic, and Mendi Rodan. He holds a master’s degree from New Bulgarian University, a PhD from the University of London, and a master’s degree in Cultural Management from New Bulgarian University.
Todorov began his international career in 1998 as conductor of the North Israel Symphony Orchestra. He subsequently served as Music Director of the Plovdiv Opera and Philharmonic, receiving the Plovdiv Award for concerts with the Plovdiv Philharmonic and John Lord. From 2005 to 2017, he was Director of the Rousse State Opera, leading performances across Europe with Bulgarian and international singers. He has conducted hundreds of concerts, operas, and ballet productions across Europe, North America, and Asia.
Todorov has a long-standing relationship with the BNSO, making his debut with the orchestra in 2001 and serving as Principal Guest Conductor since 2004. He became BNSO’s Music Director in 2017. Under his leadership, the orchestra achieved international acclaim, including successful performances at Vienna’s Musikverein Golden Hall and the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall in Zagreb, as well as collaborations with the Vienna Symphony and Berlin Philharmonie.
Founded in 1948, the Bulgarian National Symphony Orchestra is celebrated for its luminous orchestral tone, meticulous technique, and rich textures. Known for a grand Romantic style distinct from other European ensembles, BNSO has performed in leading venues worldwide and represents a cultural emblem of Bulgaria. Over decades, the orchestra has collaborated with icons of the 20th-century music world, including Richter, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Argerich, Domingo, Vengerov, and Oistrakh. It has premiered works by Prokofiev and Shostakovich and hosts major festivals such as the March International Music Festival and Winter Nights Festival.
BNSO has been awarded numerous honors, including Musician of the Year, Golden Harp, Golden Score, Golden Feather, Crystal Strings, as well as the Sofia City Cultural Award and the Presidential Honor Medal of Bulgaria.
This 2026 New Year tour promises audiences in China an unforgettable experience of Bulgarian orchestral grandeur, blending expressive depth with the ensemble’s signature brilliance and cultural vitality.