Istanbul is gearing up for days filled with art! The 5th Istanbul International Chamber Music Festival, bringing together the finest names in chamber music, will take place from September 5 to 18, 2025, at Kadıköy Municipality’s Süreyya Opera House. Organized by İBB Kültür and founded by cellist Nil Kocamangil, this year’s festival welcomes art lovers under the slogan “Friendship Note by Note.”
World-Renowned Artists and Concerts
The festival hosts prominent figures and legendary ensembles, many visiting Türkiye for the first time. The two-time Grammy and Emmy-winning a cappella group The King’s Singers will close the festival with their debut performance in Türkiye. The opening concert will feature the wind ensemble Saxback Ensemble. Additionally, tenor Pablo García-López with his baroque trio and the creatively captivating Stockholm Syndrome Ensemble will perform.
Special collaborations between Turkish and international artists are among the program’s highlights. Violinists Veriko Tchumburidze and Andrey Baranov, cellists Nil Kocamangil and Gary Hoffman, and violists Orhan Çelebi and Nora Romanoff-Schwarzberg will share the stage. A highly anticipated concert featuring double bassists Rick Stotijn and Burak Marlalı alongside pianist Zsuzsa Balint will present an unconventional program.
Beyond concerts, the festival offers talks and workshops that bring audiences closer to music luminaries. The “OFF-THE-RECORD” series, where artists share their musical tastes beyond classical music, provides a glimpse into their personal worlds.
The “Inspiring Encounters” talk series, aimed at conservatory students and educators, will feature masters like Prof. Dora Schwarzberg, Prof. Gary Hoffman, and Prof. Rick Stotijn sharing their experiences. A standout feature of the festival is its masterclass program, offering young musicians free lessons with world-class artists, marking a first in Türkiye.
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