The 205-2026 "Oltenia" Philharmonic's season, which began on the 3^rd of October continues on Friday, on the 7^th of November with the event named "Ultimul cântec al iubirii" (The Last Song of Love). Beginning at 19:00 o'clock, the soprano Irina Iordăchescu will perform with the Craiova Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gheorghe Costin. Ivona Stănculescu, the institution's manager, talked about the season's debut and about the upcoming concerto at the Craiova's Philharmonic, in an interview by Cristina Cîrjan.

The 2025-2026 season "Oltenia" Philarmonic in Craiova is entitled "Legacy". What is the significance of this concept, and how is it reflected in this year's schedule?

It is said that the legacy it's something which you receive without asking for, but at the same time, something you are obligated to pass on. In our case, the legacy is the music and so that anniversaries don't remain mere numbers, and so that this season doesn't become season number 79, we called it "Legacy". Last year, the "Oltenia" Philharmonic celebrated 120 years since the founding of the philharmonic society- a respectable age, especially in a world where institutions rarely stand the test of time. Of course, the fact that we have come this far is not only thanks to the musicians, but also of an audience that has always known how to make room for music in the city's life.

The first season's concerto took place on October the 3^rd, with "Carmina Burana" play, by Carl Orff. Since then you organized five more events. How did the debut of season go and how did the audience react ?

I was telling you that in Craiova, the culture not only has a special place, but is also in high demand. The Philharmonic Hall is the living proof of this, it's Friday so it means there's a concert at the philharmonic. We have a memorable opening season, with that absolute "hit" of classical music, a score that brings together the orchestra and the choir in a single breath of sound - Carl Orff's " Carmina Burana". The Philharmonic Hall was packed. These sold-out concertos continued and still resonated, for example, echoes of Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov's "Scheherazade" from last Friday and Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, performed by the violinist Valentin Șerban.

The 2025-2026 Season brings an impressive diversity, from the Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi or the suite from the ballet " The Nutcracker" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovksy, to evenings dedicated to film music, video games music and jazz. How did you achieve this balance between tradition and modernity?

This year will open The "Musical Craiova" International Festival on the 14^th of November which has reached its 52^nd edition. So, November the 14^th will be the moment when the "Musical Craiova" International Festival will take place in harmony with another recent "brand" of the city, The Christmas Market. Thus, on an evening that promises to be full of excitement, the conductor Radu Zaharia and the young pianist Robert Bașcoveanu from Craiova will perform Sergei Rachmanioff's Concerto No.2 and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovksky's Nutcracker Suite. An inspired choice, we say, because the theme of the Christmas Market, will also open on the evening of November the 14^th, is the "Nutcracker". So, a score in tune with the magical atmosphere of this winter, which we are looking forward to. This edition of the festival stands out for the diversity of its programs. On November 21st, we will listen to remarkable young artists, the winners of the international competition "New Hope", as well as famous soundtracks from movies and video games. There will also be a lot of recitals and meetings with artists, because of the Oltenia Philharmonic Orchestra is not giving up on recitals. We believe in these intimate encounters between the audience and artists, where performance becomes confession. The recitals, usually take place either on the philharmonic stage or in a series of chamber events at the Art Museum, evenings that the Craiova audience always eagerly awaits. This balance between the classical program and these new forms of expression characterizes the philharmonic's activity and is eagerly awaited by our audience.

The next concerto in the Craiova Philharmonic agenda is "The Last Song of Love", featuring works by Richard Wagner, Richard Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. What can you tell us about this concert and about November at the Craiova Philharmonic?

We are indeed continuing this musical autumn with intensity. As you said, on the November the 7^th, maestro Gheorghe Costin and the soprano Irina Iordăchescu will present a program of breathtaking beauty, featuring works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss. On the 12^th of November we will continue with a recital by the British pianist Andrew McCormack - a program of refined freedom characteristic of jazz, which will open this season's series of chamber events at the Art Museum. On the 14^th of November, the moment which I mentioned earlier will take place, when we will officially open the "Musical Craiova" International Festival, which will also mark the opening of the Christmas Market. After the festival's opening concerto, we will meet with the maestro Vladimir Lungu on the 21^st of November and listen to three young artists, remarkable winners of the "New Hope" International Competition, in a richly diverse program - we will hear works from Ludwig van Beethoven to Ottorino Respighi The end of the month will bring other special events. On the 26^th of November, the recital "Cealaltă Voce", will take place, a dialogue between Mihai Ritivoiu and Marius Manole, an evening about courage and fragility, and on the 28^th of November, the last concert of the month will be an evening signed by Ivano Guagnelli and Riccardo La Chioma, a sound journey into the world of soundtracks from movies and video games.

What are the main events that the public will enjoy at the Oltenia Philharmonic, starting in December?

December is the month of tradition. On the 17^th, we will celebrate the Philharmonic Day, but before that, on the 3^rd of December, we will organize a special concerto, in which Ștefan Diaconu and Radu Rățoi will bring back the emotion of Romanian rhapsodies, a concerto that we dedicate to our musical identity. Then, on the 5^th of December, Emir Nuhanovic and the pianist Leonard Mihale will take the stage at the Oltenia Philharmonic. The program will be monumental, featuring Joannes Brahms' Piano Concerto No.1 and Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No.7. Then, the month will continue with chamber recitals at the Art Museum and at the Constantin Brâncuși Center. On the 12^th of December, Radu Zaharia and the pianist Mihai Diaconescu will peform Camille Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto No.2, work of virtuosity and refinement, followed on the 17^th of December by Radu Zaharia will return to the conducto's podium for Ludwig van Beethhoven's Symphony No.9, marking Philharmonic Day and the closing of the "Craiova Muzicală" International Festival. Of course, December cannot end without the long-awaited Christmas carol conerts. The tradition continues, because these concerts are a celebration of the community and the end of the year. After all, there is no Christmas without carols.