Zefira Valova

Zefira Valova is a leading specialist in early music performing as a soloist, leader, concertmaster and chamber musician. Graduate of Sofia National Academy of Music and Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Zefira has collaborated with such ensembles as the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra, Arcangelo, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra and the European Union Baroque Orchestra. She has been artistic director of the Sofia Baroque Arts Festival since 2006. Zefira has been concertmaster of il Pomo d’Oro since 2015, working mainly under Maxim Emelyanychev. With the ensemble, she has recorded on multiple releases for Aparte. Her awards include first prize in the José Herrando Baroque Violin Competition (2020), Musician of the Year awarded by the Bulgarian National Radio (2017), and the Golden Quill Award (2021). Highlights of the 2023/24 season include leading il Pomo d’Oro in concerts with Jakub Józef Orliński and with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato throughout Europe and America, Amadigi di Gaula in the Sofia Opera and the Tafelmusik orchestra with classical concerts and symphonies.