VILNIUS FESTIVAL

 

Founded in 1997, the annual Vilnius Festival is one of the most prestigious, solid and versatile musical events in Lithuania. With primary interest in presenting classical music, performed by the established soloists, ensembles and symphony orchestras from all over the world, it also promotes contemporary Lithuanian music by commissioning new large-scale works, and offers a platform for jazz and musical theatre.

 

Collaboration

 

The collaboration of its organisers and performers with world-renowned musicians has accelerated the acceptance of not only Lithuania’s musical culture but also its political activities in the international realm. The roster of the celebrated performers, who have been among the favourites of the Vilnius Festival, includes Mstislav Rostropovich, Riccardo Muti, Krzysztof Penderecki, Yuri Bashmet, Gidon Kremer and Vadim Repin; jazz legends Dave Brubeck, McCoy Tyner, Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancock, Al di Meola, Chick Corea, Paco de Lucia, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

 

The active participation of the Vilnius Festival in the programs of Lithuanian cultural tourism and its close cooperation with diplomatic missions of foreign countries has generated high interest among foreign guests and tourists in both this event and Lithuanian cultural happenings in general.

 

The Vilnius Festival has been member of the European Festivals Association (EFA) since 1999.

 

Events and Venues

 

Most of its events, consisting of 10-15 concerts and performances, are concentrated in June, sometimes extending from the last days of May to the first days of July.

 

Among the key points of the festival’s programmes are:

• a high-profile commission from a well-known Lithuanian composer;
• a recital by a famous Lithuanian performer;
• a guest performance by specially invited symphony orchestra, opera or ballet company
• a portrait concert by contemporary Lithuanian or foreign composer
• an early music concert dedicated to performance of Renaissance or Baroque music on period instruments
• a showcase of legendary jazz soloists and groups

It has become one of the festival's traditions to accentuate the significance of various architectural spaces in Lithuania's capital city, encompassing not only traditional concert venues, but also squares, courtyards and churches in Vilnius. The festival's events are normally held at the National Philharmonic Hall, National Opera and Ballet Theatre and Siemens Arena.

 

Vilnius Festival Orchestra

 

Following an example of world's major music festivals, the Vilnius Festival has formed its resident orchestra, the VILNIUS FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA. It was inaugurated under the baton and artistic leadership of the prominent violist Yuri Bashmet in 2003.

 

In March 2005, the Orchestra went on its first European tour to Serbia, Bulgaria and Poland with Yrui Bashmet, Vadim Repin and David Geringas, followed by two Germany tours in July and August.

 

Organisers

 

The Vilnius Festival is organised by the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society in coorperation with the public institution "Vilnius Festivals" and the Municipality of the City of Vilnius.

 

PRESS RELEASE 2009

PRESS RELEASE 2010

 

CONCESSIONS AND OTHER TICKETING INFORMATION

• multi-buy discounts: save 30% when you book two or more tickets for four or five events, or save 40% when you book two or more tickets for six or seven events.
• Philharmonic Membership Card  holders receive a 20% discount for two tickets;
• groups of 20 and more: receive a 20% discount when you book twenty or more tickets for one event.
• Holders of the Omni ID Klasikinė , Omni ID Sidabrinė, and Omni ID Auksinė cards receive a 20% discount for two tickets.

Please note: discounts cannot be combined and no other discounts are availble for the concerts of the Vilnius Festival.

 

Where to book and buy your tickets:

• in person at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Box Office, 5 Aušros Vartų g. (no transaction fees). Bookings by telephone: (+370 5) 266 5233, (+370 5) 266 5216, +370 698 52075; by e-mail bilietaifilharmonija.lt, and online at www.nationalphilharmonic.eu;
• via the BILIETAI LT ticketing system at www.bilietai.lt  (transaction fees apply);
• via the CLASSICTIC system at www.classictic.com.

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