Gardens of Spain

Two gardens, one Spanish night.

On 23 November 2026, Bulgaria Hall hosts the gala that closes the first edition of the Gardens of Spain festival — an evening devoted to Spanish music, built around two of the best-loved works of the twentieth century: Manuel de Falla’s Nights in the Gardens of Spain and Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez.

In the first, piano and orchestra paint a rich, colourful landscape drawn from the atmosphere of Spain’s gardens; in the second, the guitar becomes a vivid, unforgettable solo voice. Around them: Chapí’s overture to El tambor de granaderos, Chabrier’s España and music from Bizet’s Carmen.

The night is also an anniversary. 2026 marks 150 years since Falla’s birth and 125 since Rodrigo’s — and 23 November is Falla’s birthday, which turns the festival finale into a musical celebration of one of Spain’s greatest composers. More in the journal.

Conductor: Pablo Urbina

1. Ruperto Chapí (1851–1909)Overture to El tambor de granaderos
2. Emmanuel Chabrier (1841–1894)España, rhapsody for orchestra
3. Manuel de Falla (1876–1946)Noches en los jardines de España — Nights in the Gardens of Spain: I. En el Generalife · II. Danza lejana · III. En los jardines de la Sierra de CórdobaVeneta Neynska, piano
4. Joaquín Rodrigo (1901–1999)Concierto de Aranjuez, for guitar and orchestra: I. Allegro con spirito · II. Adagio · III. Allegro gentileGeorgi Dimitrov-Jojo, guitar
5. Georges Bizet (1838–1875)Carmen — a selection from Suites Nos. 1 and 2

With the exclusive support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Bulgaria. The InterContinental Sofia is the festival’s official accommodation partner; the Bulgarian-Spanish Chamber of Commerce is its communication partner.