A month-long musical extravaganza in the city

The 37th International Istanbul Music Festival, organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, or IKSV, will welcome all music lovers Friday.Â

Sponsored by the Borusan Group since 2006, this year’s International Istanbul Music Festival will continue through June 30. The festival will host more than 500 local and international artists and will welcome the summer with an exclusive and impressive program.

This year’s program, compiled by festival director Yeşim Gürer Oymak, presents a total of 18 events, including performances of the world renowned chamber, symphony, and philharmonic orchestras, outstanding ensembles and distinguished soloists.

The festival venues are Hagia Eirene Museum, Topkapı Palace, Süreyya Opera House, Istanbul Archaeological Museum and Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center.

The festival's 2009 Honor Award will be presented to Turkish opera bass soloist Ayhan Baran due to his contributions to the art of opera and classical music in Turkey and abroad.

The opening concert of the 37th International Istanbul Music Festival will be performed by the Borusan Chamber Orchestra conducted by Sascha Goetzel at the Hagia Eirene Museum at 7 p.m Thursday. The orchestra will interpret selections from Stravinsky’s "Fire Bird Suite."

Highlights of the festival

The 37th International Istanbul Music Festival will host the most talented stars of the classical music scene, along with award-winner young soloists and local and international orchestras.

Also, as in the previous year, there will be pre-concert talks with artists and prominent music writers, allowing the audience to get involved in lively discussions on classical music before the performances.

Highlights of this year’s program include the concert of three artists, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Sir AndrŽ PrŽvin, and Lynne Harrell. Having enchanted music enthusiasts for years with their interpretations, prestigious awards and magnificent stage performances, the dream trio of classical music stages will be meeting their fans in Istanbul for the very first time during the festival. They will carry their exquisite partnership to the stage, promising a musical feast that will remain forever in memory of all art lovers.

The concert will be June 19 at the Hagia Eirene Museum at 7 p.m. The artists will also participate in celebrations for PrŽvin’s 80th birthday. Moreover, PrŽvin’s Piano Trio will be performed at the concert, marking its premiere in Turkey.

Another event not to be missed at this year’s festival is a concert by superstar of the opera world Rolando Villazon, whose magnificent voice and passionate interpretations have made him one of the most outstanding tenors of our time.

Exclusively sought after by opera stages worldwide due to his passionate interpretation and enchanting voice, Villaz?n is one of the most special guests to this year’s festival. He will be accompanied by the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Marco Zambelli on June 29 at the Hagie Eirene Museum at 8 p.m.

Turkish virtuosos at the festival

Among other particularly important performances in this year’s festival program will be from Turkey’s internationally renowned virtuoso Suna Kan, and one of the most important voices Turkey has contributed to the opera stage Yelda Kodallı.

As part of the Festival Encounters, Kan will perform June 10 at the Hagia Eirene Museum at 8 p.m. Kodallı will take the stage June 13 at Süreyya Opera House at 8 p.m. Prominent musician Paolo Spadaro Munitto will accompany Kodallı with his piano.In an unforgettable concert, on the closing night of the festival June 30, the Lütfi Kırdar Convention & Exhibition Center will host the most important orchestra of Italy, Filarmonica Della Scala, featuring renowned artist and ambassador of peace, Daniel Barenboim, both as conductor and soloist.

Festival participants will remember Barenboim’s West-Eastern Divan Orchestra made up of Israeli and Palestinian artists.

Recently he has accepted an honorary Palestinian citizenship in order to provide an example of peace between Israel and Palestine, thereby becoming the first person to ever hold both Palestinian and Israeli passports. Barenboim and Filarmonica Della Scala will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.3 and Berlioz’ Fantastic Symphony, making the evening unforgettable for all music lovers. Before the concert, Barenboim will be presented the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Festival pleasure at Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet

The Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet has prepared a special festival menu for music lovers during the 37th International Istanbul Music Festival between June 5 and 30.

The hotel’s Seasons Restaurant is offering a special menu for pre-concert goers, giving a special flavor to their evening as has been done in the past. The menu is a rich one starting with cold hors d’oeuvres such as baby spinach, gorgonzola cheese, green apple and beetroot, or vanilla smoked salmon and mustard egg salad. Main dishes include grilled bream, chard-wrapped mashed potato, pizza with chicken marinated in soy sauce and pineapple, and ravioli with pine nuts and ricotta, red currant and eggplant ragout, all of which are followed by a selection of desserts especially chosen by the chef. Choosing two different selections from the menu will cost 45 Turkish Liras per person while choosing three will be 55 liras per person.



For reservations and more detailed information, call 0212 402 3000.