New Symphony Orchestra, Bulgaria

New Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1991 by music critic Julia Hristova as an alternative to the state subsidized cultural institutions in Bulgaria. The orchestra recruits primarily younger musicians, offering them professional experience and opportunity. It hosts an International Academy for Young Conductors and in June 2000 inaugurated an International Orchestral Academy. Plans were underway to develop cooperative projects in collaboration with the embassies of France, Switzerland, Austria and the United States, as well as the European Union Committee in Sofia. Former Music Directors have been Aleksey Izmirlev and Eraldo Salmieri.