Asmik Grigorian, Sonya Yoncheva, Judit Kutasi, Maximilian Schmitt, & Soloman Howard Star in George Enescu International Festival 2025

By Afton Markay
(Photo credits: Vedinaș, Behrmann, & Adjahoe)

The George Enescu International Festival 2025 announces its star-studded lineup.

This article only features vocal works.

The opening concert features the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. Iosef Ion Prunner and Cristian Măcelaru conduct.

Performance Date: August 24, 2025

Soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen performs with the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra under the direction of Keri-lynn Wilson.

Performance Date: August 26, 2025

Soprano Lucy Crowe, mezzo-soprano Jess Dandy, tenor Benjamin Hulett, and bass Alastair Miles solo in Beethoven’s “Missa solemnis.” They are joined by the Transylvania State Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir Of Cluj-napoca. Cristian Mandeal and Cornel Groza conduct.

Performance Date: August 29, 2025

Ravel’s “L’heure espagnole” is presented by tenors Iván Ayón Rivas and Mikeldi Atxalandabaso, baritone Armando Noguera, and bass Manuel Fuentes. The Orchestra of the Valencian Community is conducted by James Gaffigan. Gábor Tompa conducts.

Performance Date: August 29, 2025

Preisner’s “Requiem for My Friend” is performed by countertenor Alexandru Costea, the Enescu Chamber Choir, and the Warsaw Symphony. Constantin Grigore and Andrei Stănculescu serve as conductors.

Performance Date: August 29, 2025

Tenor Benjamin Bernheim performs works by Strauss, Chausson, Berlioz, and Stroe with the Orchestra of the Valencian Community. James Gaffigan conducts.

Performance Date: August 30, 2025

Soprano Magdalena Kožená presents songs by Berio. Daniel Harding conducts the Orchestra of the National Academy of Santa Cecilia.

Performance Date: August 30, 2025

Sopranos Emmanuelle De Negri and Marie Perbost Vénus, countertenor Benoît-Joseph Meier, and bass-baritones Thomas Dolié and Stephan Macleod solo in Rameau’s “Dardanus” with the Namur Chamber Choir. Emmanuel Resche-Caserta conducts.

Performance Date: August 30, 2025

The Romanian Radio Academic Choir is led by Ciprian Țuțu in a concert with the Sinfonia Varsovia under the baton on Marta Gardolińska.

Performance Date: August 31, 2025

Soprano Asmik Grigorian and pianist Lukas Geniušas present a concert of works by Tchaikovsky, Rahmaninov, Enescu, and Ravel.

Performance Date: August 31, 2025

Soprano Jennifer Holloway takes on the title role in a concert version of Strauss’ “Salomè.” She is joined by sopranos Bianca Andrew and Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, tenors Gerhard Siegel and Oleksiy Palchykov, and bass-baritone Iain Paterson, among others. Wdr Sinfonieorchester Köln is led by Cristian Măcelaru. Nona Ciobanu and Peter Košir direct.

Performance Date: September 1, 2025

Soprano Sarah Aristidou performs the works of Boulez, Ravel, Debussy, and Enescu. Franck Ollu conducts.

Performance Date: September 2, 2025

The George Enescu Philharmonic Choir presents Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony No. 2. Paavo Järvi conducts the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich. Iosef Ion Prunner conducts the choir.

Performance Date: September 3, 2025

Mezzo-soprano Sophie Rennert, contralto Benedetta Mazzucato, countertenor Nicolò Balducci, tenor Martin Vanberg, and baritone Riccardo Novaro perform alongside the Purcell Choir and Accademia Bizantina in Conti’s “Il Trionfo Della Fama.” Ottavio Dantone leads from the harpsichord.

Performance Date: September 5, 2025

Kurtág’s “Fin De Partie” is performed by contralto Hilary Summers, tenor Leonardo Cortellazzi, baritone Leigh Melrose, and bass Frode Olsen. Arnaud Arbet and Joel Soichez conduct the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra.

Performance Date: September 7, 2025

Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” is performed by sopranos Kathryn Lewek, Elsa Dreisig, and Miriam Kutrowatz, tenors Mauro Peter and Andreas Conrad, baritone Äneas Humm, and bass Manuel Winckhler. They are joined by the Chorwerk Ruhr led by Michael Alber and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen conducted by Tarmo Peltokoski. Romain Gilbert directs.

Performance Date: September 7, 2025

“Klimt Meets Bösendorfer – Ver Sacrum” by Alexandra Silocea is performed by mezzo-soprano Patricia Nolz and Alexandra Silocea at the piano.

Performance Dates: September 11 & 12, 2025

The NFM Choir and Il Giardino Armonico perform works by Mozart and Beethoven under the direction of Giovanni Antonini.

Performance Date: September 13, 2025

The George Enescu Philharmonic Choir and the Orchestra Philharmonique De Monte-Carlo perform Enescu’s “Isis.” Kazuki Yamada and Andrei Stănculescu conduct.

Performance Date: September 14, 2025

Soprano Kristine Opolais, mezzo-soprano Maria Barakova, tenors Vincent Wolfsteiner and Pavel Černoch, and bass Andreas Bauer Kanabas star in Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth Of Mtsensk.” They are joined by the Romanian Radio National Orchestra and Academic Choir. Giancarlo Guerrero and Ciprian Țuțu conduct. Carmen Lidia Vidu directs.

Performance Date: September 14, 2025

Soprano Kaarin Cecilia Phelps, mezzo-sopranos Ruxandra Donose and Ramona Zaharia, tenor Paul Curievici, baritones Ionuț Pascu and Bogdan Baciu, and bass Vazgen Gazaryan perform Enescu’s “Oedipe.” Tiberiu Soare leads the Romanian National Opera Bucharest Orchestra and Choir. Stefano Poda directs.

Performance Date: September 15, 2025

Soprano Ailyn Pérez, mezzo-soprano Judit Kutasi, tenor Maximilian Schmitt, and bass Soloman Howard solo in Beethoven’s “Symphony” No. 9. They are joined by the George Enescu Philharmonic Choir and Romanian Youth Orchestra. Christian Reif  and Iosef Ion Prunner serve as conductors.

Performance Date: September 16, 2025

Iosef Ion Prunner leads the George Enescu Philharmonic Choir in the concert featuring the Orchestre National De France under the baton of Cristian Măcelaru. Together they present Ravel’s “Daphnis et Chloé,” M. 57.

Performance Date: September 18, 2025

Soprano Julia Lezhneva and lutist Luca Pianca perform works by Caccini, Monteverdi, Melli, Mazzocchi, Carissimi, Vivaldi,and Paisiello.

Performance Date: September 20, 2025

Soprano Sonya Yoncheva performs with the Romanian Radio National Orchestra.

Performance Date: September 21, 2025

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