The King’s concertmaster will be Bulgarian
OrchestrasAmid the welter of big names who have been commanded to attend the coronation of King Charles III, one participant has slipped beneath the mass-media radar.
We can confirm that the concertmaster of the King’s orchestra will be Vasko Vassilev, leader of the Royal Opera House orchestra for the past three decades.
The Bulgarian born violinist, 53, is also known as teacher and mentor of the pop performer Vanessa Mae and as artistic director of the Covent Garden Soloists ensemble.
…. but he is better known as being a superb violinist.
If he has been residing in London for the past three decades, I wouldn’t necessarily refer to him as Bulgarian in the headline. Wouldn’t 30 years be enough for someone to earn the right to be called British?
Bulgaria has a population smaller than London, so please do not erase our national identity nor begrudge us wanting to highlight it among leading musicians in distinguished orchestras such as Covent Garden (Vasko Vassilev) or the Vienna Philharmonic (Albena Danailova, the first Konzertmeisterin). If you travel to Bulgaria and speak to people there, I can guarantee that these two distinguished violinists (who are well known even among non-musicians) are regarded as Bulgarian.
Don’t forget Vesko Eschkenazy, concertamester of the Royal Concertgebouw orchestra (the other concertmaster of the orchestra is Romanian. Take that, Geert Wilders). Also, another violinist of the Vienna Philharmonic, Daniela Ivanova is Bulgarian.
Keep the good work.
only if he’s a British citizen.
“Commanded?” This isn’t Henry VIII we’re talking about here.
Nah, it’s Chuck III, whose great uncle was denied the crown for less than Charles’s situation.
Oh, nothing as interesting as that!!
King Charles’ opinion of Brexit seems pretty obvious!
Give him a chance, he may well be the right man in the right place at the right time.
Lots of British conducting talent steeped in Handel and capable of conducting modern music as well. Frankly, I don’t understand this.
Vasko Vassilev is good and have for a long time been based in London?
He is not a conductor!
If he was French then it wouldn’t t be a news for you I assume. Stupid UK mentality