Uniting esteemed artists from all corners of the globe, the Istanbul International Music Festival is a renowned cultural event that has been thrilling audiences since 1973. Held every summer in June and July, this spectacular display showcases an array of classical music, ballet performances, and traditional tunes for locals to enjoy. Bolstered by its main sponsor Borusan Holding since 2006 – taking over from Eczacıbaşı Holding - this festival promises to bring nothing but entertainment as it's hosted annually with participants from around the world!
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey and in honor of Dr. Nejat Eczacıbaşı's legacy, the inaugural Istanbul Festival happened from June 15 to July 15, 1973. This renowned festival continues to bring together various artistic creations from all disciplines, such as art, music, dance, and theatre, both locally and internationally, for avid audiences everywhere! In addition to performances, it also features conferences & lectures that provide an immersive cultural experience like no other.
To further its reach and scope, the Istanbul Festival added festivals dedicated to film in 1984, jazz in 1986, contemporary art in 1987, and theater in 1989. In 1994 it was renamed the Istanbul International Music Festival to differentiate it from other sister events. It has been a proud member of the European Festivals Association since 1977. To continue promoting young talent within its organization, they launched a project called "Istanbul Music Festival Seeks Its Young Soloist" (Turkish: İstanbul Müzik Festivali Genç Solistini Arıyor)[6], which provides unique opportunities for upcoming musicians alike.
The festival started with an impressive lineup of international talent, from the La Scala Philharmonic's Riccardo Muti to Kurt Masur and Zubin Mehta of the New York Philharmonic, Wolfgang Sawallisch at Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and Dresden Staatskapelle. These world-renowned artists and groups have set an awe-inspiring precedent for future festivals!
The Mariinsky Theatre (Kirov Opera) soloists, orchestra, and chorus have worked with a variety of esteemed artists, including the likes of Gidon Kremer from Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Charles Mackerras, and Richard Hickox from Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Tokyo String Quartet to Hilliard Ensemble; Aldo Ciccolini to Ivo Pogorelich; Yehudi Menuhin to Itzhak Perlman; Julian Lloyd Webber to Mischa Maisky; Narciso Yepes Christopher Parkening and Leyla Gencerto Montserrat Caballéand Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. They also came with Bolshoi Ballet until AmericanBalletTheatreand Mark Morris - Mehmet Sander - Kibbutz dance companies. It also presented renowned traditional music collectives such as the Istanbul Oriental Ensemble of the esteemed Burhan Öçal, Kudsi Ergüner's Tac Mahal project, and Whirling Dervishes.
At the 31st festival, music legend Cecilia Bartoli joined internationally-renowned conductor Lorin Maazel and his Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. The crowd responded with such thunderous applause that they stood applauding her for several minutes!
The festival'sfestival's event locations include Galata Mevlevihanesi, Istanbul University Rectorate Building, Istanbul Modern and Santralistanbul Energy Museum, Zorlu Center PSM, and Boğaziçi University Albert Long Hall along with Hagia Eirene Museum, Archaeological Museum, Tiled Kiosk, Süreyya Opera House and Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Centre. An esteemed international musicologist has commented that the festival successfully connects cultural and religious differences!
