Fans from 46 countries are coming to Plovdiv, and the Ancient Theatre is being featured on a collector’s edition T-shirt. A sunny metal weekend featuring two exclusive shows at the Ancient Theatre: Tarja Turunen and Septicflesh will perform alongside the Plovdiv Opera Orchestra and Choir. This weekend, the Ancient Theatre in Plovdiv will host two highly anticipated concerts featuring the Plovdiv Opera Orchestra and Choir. On Friday, September 18th, Tarja Turunen will present “The World of Dreams“, and on Saturday, September 19th, Septicflesh will take the stage with “Ancient Whispers“. The events are organized by Blue Hills, and Plovdiv is gearing up for a true metal celebration!
We begin with the news that Septicflesh have already arrived in Bulgaria! Chris, Spiros Seth, Dinos Psychon, and Kerim Krimh are in Plovdiv feeling fresh and excited—evident from their animated conversations about the upcoming concert. Sotiris has arrived today, as are the conductor and the show’s special guests.

Tarja Turunen – Friday, September 18th
“The World of Dreams” is the first of the two concerts. Tarja’s appearance on the stage of the magical Ancient Theatre will mark her first concert in the country in this specific format—accompanied by piano and orchestra. Tickets are selling fast, and a sell-out would come as no surprise. Tarja is considered a pioneer in blending heavy rock and metal with classical operatic vocals. Her voice made her an icon of symphonic metal during her time as the lead singer of Nightwish. Now we will see them in a different setting, with a different setlist, and amidst the acoustics of the Ancient Theatre.

Septicflesh – Saturday, September 19th
“Ancient Whispers”—the ambitious project by the Greek symphonic metal titans—is drawing fans from all over the world to Plovdiv. A check of the Eventim system reveals that tickets for the concert have already been purchased by fans from 46 countries. We repeat: forty-six countries! Sales are ongoing, so that number may well rise.
A concert of this caliber deserves a special souvenir. The band’s frontman and acclaimed visual artist, Seth, has created a T-shirt design specifically for the Plovdiv show. It will be available exclusively at the Ancient Theatre on the day of the concert, in a strictly limited run.
The T-shirt is made of heavy-duty 100% cotton, featuring high-quality screen printing on the front and back, along with a special label bearing the band’s name. This classic unisex model will be available in sizes S, M, L, XL, and XXL. The band entrusted production to a Bulgarian manufacturer—with whom they have worked several times over the years—facilitated by Albena Tsolova-Beta.
We share a preview of this exclusive T-shirt with undisguised pride—both for Seth’s design and for the work of the Bulgarian production team. The Ancient Theatre is incorporated into the design, ensuring it remains forever captured on this collectible memento of the concert. We strongly advise you to arrive early and look for the merchandise stand as soon as you enter the theatre. It will also be available during the concert, though quantities are limited.
We remind you that this is Septicflesh’s only concert of this kind in 2026 and their final European stage appearance of the year. As Sotiris—who will also be joining the band in Plovdiv—shared in an interview about a week ago: “At these concerts, people get to see something that happens only this one time. It is truly special.”

Schedule for both concerts:
Doors open: 18:30 h.
Concerts start: 20:00 h.

After the shows on both nights, we will continue sharing the excitement at Rock Bar Download, the host of the official after-parties. A curated playlist, drinks, and a cozy atmosphere await us.
Two days. Two unique concerts. One magical location and an unforgettable atmosphere. Fans from all over the world, united by the music, the fandom, and the history. Plovdiv—the “Metal City”—is buzzing with anticipation!
The concerts are part of the Music of the Ages forum and the Plovdiv Municipality’s cultural calendar.

Tickets via Eventim:
Tarja Turunen:
https://www.eventim.bg/eventseries/tarja-turunen-the-world-of-dreams-4168068/
Septicflesh:
https://www.eventim.bg/eventseries/septicflesh-with-orchestra-and-choir-4072619/