Bucharest Classic Festival will take place between July 10 and 12, 2026, at the Romanian Athenaeum, one of the most iconic cultural landmarks in Bucharest and one of the best places in the city to experience classical music.
The first edition of the festival is produced by the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra and brings three evenings dedicated to major classical and romantic masterpieces. The concerts will be held at the Romanian Athenaeum, located at 1-3 Strada Benjamin Franklin in the central area of Bucharest, close to Calea Victoriei and Revolution Square.
Access starts at 18:30, and each concert begins at 19:30.
Three Evenings of Classical and Romantic Masterpieces in Bucharest
Bucharest Classic Festival is designed as a refined summer classical music experience in the heart of the Romanian capital. Across three consecutive evenings, the audience will hear works by Verdi, Rachmaninov, Brahms, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, performed by the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra together with invited soloists.
The festival explores some of the most powerful musical themes in the classical and romantic repertoire, from destiny and drama to virtuosity and emotional intensity.
July 10: Rachmaninov, Verdi and Brahms
The opening evening of Bucharest Classic Festival will feature pianist Eva Garet as soloist.
The programme includes Verdi’s “La forza del destino” Overture, Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and Brahms’ Symphony No. 1. It is a strong opening night for anyone interested in dramatic orchestral writing and one of the most demanding piano concertos in the classical repertoire.
July 11: Beethoven at the Romanian Athenaeum
The second evening is dedicated to Beethoven, with pianist Karim Said and conductor John Axelrod, principal conductor of the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra.
The programme includes Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, known as the “Emperor” Concerto, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, one of the most recognisable works in classical music.
For visitors in Bucharest, this is one of the clearest opportunities in July to experience a major classical programme inside the Romanian Athenaeum.
July 12: Tchaikovsky with Adela Liculescu
The final evening of the festival brings pianist Adela Liculescu to the stage, together with the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Axelrod.
The programme includes Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. The closing concert continues the festival’s focus on emotional intensity, orchestral colour and major works of the romantic repertoire.
For travellers visiting Bucharest in July, Bucharest Classic Festival offers more than a concert. It is also a chance to enter the Romanian Athenaeum, one of the city’s most important architectural and cultural symbols.
Located near Calea Victoriei, the Athenaeum is easy to include in an evening itinerary in central Bucharest. Visitors can walk through Revolution Square, continue along Calea Victoriei, and end the evening with a classical concert in one of the city’s most elegant venues.
Bucharest Classic Festival 2026: Date, Time and Venue
Bucharest Classic Festival takes place from Friday, July 10, to Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Venue: Romanian Athenaeum
Address: Strada Benjamin Franklin 1-3, Sector 1, Bucharest
Access: from 18:30
Concerts: 19:30
Bucharest Classic Festival Programme
July 10, 2026
Eva Garet, piano
Verdi – “La forza del destino” Overture
Rachmaninov – Piano Concerto No. 3
Brahms – Symphony No. 1
July 11, 2026
Karim Said, piano
John Axelrod, conductor
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor”
Beethoven – Symphony No. 5
July 12, 2026
Adela Liculescu, piano
John Axelrod, conductor
Tchaikovsky – Piano Concerto No. 1
Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 4
A Classical Music Evening in the Heart of Bucharest
Bucharest Classic Festival adds a major classical music moment to the city’s July cultural calendar. With three evenings at the Romanian Athenaeum, an international artistic line-up, and a programme built around landmark works from the classical and romantic repertoire, the festival is a strong choice for both Bucharest residents and visitors seeking a refined cultural experience in the Romanian capital.
