Athenaeum Summer Festival 2024
The third edition of the Athenaeum Summer Festival took place from June 20th to 29th, 2024, at the historic Romanian Athenaeum, offering a vibrant celebration of Europe’s diverse musical heritage. Over the course of nine unforgettable evenings, the festival showcased an eclectic array of musical styles and genres, from baroque to contemporary, and from opera to jazz and film music. This annual event captured the essence of European culture, emphasizing both its diversity and unity through the universal language of music.
The festival attracted a significant audience, with each concert drawing between 700 and 2,000 attendees. This enthusiastic participation underscored the widespread appreciation for cultural exchange and artistic excellence that are the hallmarks of Europe’s musical tradition. The Romanian Athenaeum, with its rich history and stunning architecture, provided the perfect backdrop for these performances, fostering a profound sense of connection among the audience.
The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, under the baton of conductors Leo Hussain, Felix Mildenberger, and Iosif Ion Prunner, brought to life the grandeur of European musical traditions. The institution’s string and wind ensembles, directed by Panagiotis Diamantis and Adrian Petrescu, also delivered powerful performances that resonated with the audience. The festival featured an impressive lineup of guest artists, including the international trio Lucian Ban, John Surman, and Mat Maneri, the SEMPRE Early Music Ensemble, and the State Symphony Orchestra of Thessaloniki, conducted by Yannis Pouspourikas.
Esteemed soloists, such as soprano Sally Matthews, violinist Valentin Șerban, flutist Ion Bogdan Ștefănescu, and violinist Liya Petrova, further elevated the festival’s artistic caliber. Their performances highlighted the power of music to transcend borders, unite diverse cultures, and inspire audiences across Europe.
The Athenaeum Summer Festival 2024 was made possible through the generous support of its main sponsors, Garanti BBVA and Rompetrol, with additional sponsorship from Groupe SNEF and JTI. The event also received support from Peroni, Aqua Carpatica, ARCUB, City Flowers, and the Intercontinental. Media coverage was provided by main partners RFI România and Radio România Muzical, along with Pro TV, Radio România Cultural, Observator Cultural, Actualitatea Muzicală, and Deutsche Zeitung Romania. The festival’s artistic partners included the Art Production Foundation and Elite Art, with communication efforts led by OMA Vision.
The Romanian Athenaeum was awarded the European Heritage Label in 2023.
