Sofia Philharmonic Stars of 21st Century
World Premiere Celebrated • Sofia, Bulgaria

The Stars of 21st Century

On 10 September 2026, the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Nayden Todorov presented the triumphant World Premiere of The Wonderful Wertheim Symphony by Roland Baumgartner to lasting standing ovations at Bulgaria Concert Hall.

10 September 2026 | Sofia
Bulgaria Concert Hall, Sofia
Maestro Nayden Todorov
Watch Premiere Video Sofia Premiere Media Kit
The Stars of 21st Century Event Poster - Sofia Philharmonic
Standing Ovation

Lasting Applause at Bulgaria Concert Hall

Watch the emotional moment Carlos Guilliard, descendant of the Wertheim dynasty, and the audience celebrate the monumental world premiere.

The Wonderful Wertheim Symphony • World Premiere
Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra • Nayden Todorov • Standing Ovation (10 Sept 2026)
Download Video (MP4)
Broadcast Coverage

World Premiere TV Report

Watch the official Arcadia TV report covering the world premiere of The Wonderful Wertheim Symphony performed by the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra.

World-Class Talent

Performers & Key Figures

Meet the visionary artists and creators who brought this historic evening to life.

SKM

Sheku Kanneh-Mason

Violoncello

BBC Young Musician winner and global cello sensation renowned for his expressive warmth and brilliant technique across worldwide concert halls.

JG

Jess Gillam

Soprano Saxophone

Chart-topping classical saxophonist and broadcaster recognized for bringing electrifying energy and modern perspective to classical repertoire.

BG

Ben Goldscheider

French Horn

Nominated as an ECHO Rising Star, Ben is acclaimed internationally as one of the premier horn players of his generation.

NT

Nayden Todorov

Conductor

Director of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrated for expanding international orchestral partnerships and conducting worldwide premieres.

RB

Roland Baumgartner

Composer

International composer of The Wonderful Wertheim Symphony, who spent years researching the Wertheim family saga to honor their memory in music.

Historical Narrative

The Machine That Changed Millions of Lives

A forgotten European dynasty. A remarkable true story of ingenuity, hardship, and resilience.

The Wonderful Wertheim Symphony Artistic Concept
"When I first encountered the history of the Wertheim family, I realised this was not simply a story about industry. It is a story about human ingenuity, resilience, and quiet hope." — Roland Baumgartner
1862 • Frankfurt am Main

The Humble Beginning

Joseph Wertheim places a modest newspaper notice announcing his agency for sewing machines at Fahrgasse 108 in Frankfurt. The machines revolutionized home productivity and empowered generations of women.

1920 • Barcelona Expansion

Rapida S.A. & Spanish Expansion

Karl Wertheim expands operations to Barcelona under the name Carlos Vallin Ballin, establishing Rapida S.A. and carrying the family's industrial legacy into Spain.

1932 – 1944 • Persecution & Resilience

Tragedy & Persecution

The 600-strong Frankfurt factory was closed and expropriated under Nazi persecution. Family members fell victim to the tragedy, while survivors safeguarded their heritage across the globe.

10 September 2026 • Sofia

A Name Returns to the Stage

Commissioned by Carlos Guilliard, descendant of the dynasty, The Wonderful Wertheim Symphony had its world premiere in Sofia on 10 September 2026, met with minutes of lasting applause.

Official Documentary Film

Wertheim — The Forgotten Legacy of a Dynasty

The extraordinary true story of an industrial empire erased from history and brought back to light through three decades of archival research.

Now Playing: Official Trailer
Wertheim • Official Trailer
Directed by Benjamin Baumgartner • Original Score by Roland Baumgartner • Archival Journey by Carlos Guilliard

30 Years of Archival Research

Carlos Guilliard spent three decades tracing suppressed family records, private diaries, and hidden archives to reconstruct his ancestors' lost legacy.

Cinematic Direction

Directed by Benjamin Baumgartner, combining rare historical documents, eyewitness accounts, and evocative visual storytelling.

Original Symphonic Score

Featuring the poignant score by Roland Baumgartner, directly connecting the cinematic feature to the world-premiere symphony in Sofia.

Official Documentation

Sofia Premiere Media Kit

Download official post-premiere press releases, historical background documents, and concert multimedia assets in English, German, and Spanish.

Post-Premiere Official Release • 11 Sept 2026

A Name Returns to the Stage

Official announcement following the world premiere in Sofia, reflecting on the audience's standing ovation and Carlos Guilliard hearing his family's musical monument for the first time.

Read Full Press Release
World Premiere Background • 10 Sept 2026

The Machine That Changed Millions of Lives

Comprehensive historical dossier, concert program notes on Gwilym Simcock's Concerto, and biographical research on the Wertheim dynasty and composer Roland Baumgartner.

Read Historical Dossier
Open Complete Media Kit & Press Documentation Portal
Historic Venue

Bulgaria Concert Hall, Sofia

Sofia's prestigious acoustic jewel, home of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra.

Bulgaria Concert Hall, Sofia

  • World Premiere Date 10 September 2026 • 19:00 EEST
  • Address Bulgaria Concert Hall, 1 Aksakov Street, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria
  • Media & Culture Enquiries Email: culture@wonderfulwertheim.com
Contact culture@wonderfulwertheim.com

Bulgaria Hall Sofia

Central location near Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard & City Garden.