Photo exhibition ‘Allegra – strings and hearts in the lens’
A few weeks before the start of the next edition of the classical music festival in the heart of the city – Allegra, which traditionally is held in July, its creators and initiators surprise with the photographic exhibition of Evgeni Dimitrov, who captured unforgettable moments from the concerts over the years, which have remained forever in the minds of music lovers.
On May 26 at 5.30pm, Sofia’s iconic Crystal Garden will become an open-air stage for a story told in frames. The photo exhibition “Allegra – Strings and Hearts in the Lens” collects moving and emotional moments from the Sofia Festival in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
For 12 years, Allegra has been a crossroads of professionalism and potential. The festival combines inspiring concerts with master classes, attracting world-class virtuosos – many of whom are performing for the first time on the Bulgarian stage – and their talented students from all over the world.
The author is Evgeni Dimitrov – founder of the Bulphoto agency, truly and devoted visual chronicler of Allegra since the moment the festival moved to the capital. His photographic eye captures the detail – the tension in the fingers on the strings, the passion in the conductor’s gaze and the pure emotion that remains hidden from the average viewer.
“Classical music is a special genre that requires good knowledge and “training” of the senses. I grew up in such an atmosphere (my mother Petya Koleva was a prima ballerina of the Pleven Opera), but in my daily life I am immersed in jazz as a listener. The invitation to the Allegra festival to work together brought me into an environment where filming and movement are different. Filming classical music, like music itself, requires a sense of the small detail that gives the feeling and reveals the individuality of the performer or conductor.
Photo of Evgeni Dimitrov: Kalin Ruychev
“In the classics, there are no pyrotechnics, light waterfalls and colorful ribbons falling from the ceiling. The secret to the success of the festival is that everyone inside is most excited about the good music, and then about everything else. And that they are serious professionals who do not miss a single detail of the process of creating the experience received by us in the hall,” says the photographer.
Immersion in the world of Allegra is until June 9. Admission is free.
Information about the soloists and the program of the upcoming summer concerts of the Allegra Festival July 10-17 at the Central Military Club can be found at https://allegrafestival.com/bg/concerts/2026-summer/
The exhibition is supported by Sofia Municipality.
