BFO season brochure 2026–2027

2026 -27

Welcome

The BFO is organizing three new choirs this year.

The first will perform in The Magic Flute. We seek singers with professionallevel voices, who can also act on stage. They will travel with us to Vicenza and the Baden-Baden Festival after the Budapest premiere.

The second is our newly forming children’s choir for ages 9-15 (for boys, up to the onset of the voice change). Along with group and individual voice training, the children will learn the pieces with their teachers in their hometowns and then rehearse together once a month in Budapest. Only those with beautiful voices and an excellent ear can join this ensemble of about 40 members. Our first concert together will be at Müpa Budapest in mid-February. Following our orchestra academy, we are now expanding the BFO’s educational work with the choir, and I am confident these experiences will create lasting memories, both for the children and for me. I very much look forward to working with these young people, and I encourage everyone to attend these concerts.

The third choir is an international initiative. For Beethoven’s Ninth, I have invited professional choirs from every EU member state to send eight outstanding singers – two sopranos, two altos, two tenors, and two basses –to form a 100-member Pan-European Choir and perform Beethoven’s masterpiece on a European tour, including Brussels, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dortmund, Frankfurt, and Lucerne, promoting European integration and celebrating the Beethoven anniversary. Our performance will also be released on CD.

With this wealth of music and shared song, I hope the coming season will be truly extraordinary, and I warmly invite the music-lovers of Budapest –both long-time audience members and first-time guests – to join us.

I wish you all many beautiful, uplifting musical moments.

Iván Fischer Music Director

Dear Audience!

Music possesses a singular power: it can take you back in time. A melody, a tone, a familiar tune – and suddenly you find yourself in your childhood bedroom, at your first theater performance, or in the world of a story you thought you had long forgotten. We invite you to join us for such shared memories and a joyous journey back in time in the 2026–2027 season. We kick off the season with Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute, which brings stories, playfulness, and wisdom together in the most natural way possible. Is there anyone who has never hummed the melodies sung by Papageno? Or anyone who has never wanted to don his feathered costume for a night? As we did last year, we will celebrate the new season – and one of the most popular operas ever written – with a stylish reception this fall. This festive occasion will offer a fitting overture to the upcoming months. Our other productions will also awaken a sense of childlike wonder. Once again, we bring you a children’s opera: the BFO will premiere The Gruffalo, with music composed by Iván Fischer. It also gives us great pleasure to announce the launch of the BFO’s Children’s Choir.

The season will feature outstanding artists, including exceptional visiting conductors and soloists. I am particularly looking forward to seeing John Eliot Gardiner and Marin Alsop conduct our performances of Sibelius’s and Shostakovich’s monumental symphonies, compositions whose emotional and imaginative power continues to resonate with audiences today.

As a German major, I immersed myself in the works of Hermann Hesse, so I am especially pleased that we will perform a piece by the Swiss composer Othmar Schoeck at the Liszt Academy. A close friend of Hesse’s, Schoeck captured a childhood memory in his evocative composition Sommernacht. It is my heartfelt hope that the concerts of the new season will rekindle the joy and curiosity you felt as a child when you fell in love with music. Join us, and let us play, dream, and remember together! We very much look forward to seeing you at our concerts.

Orsolya Erdődy Managing Director

TheIván Fischer made his own dream come true when he founded the

Budapest Festival Orchestra

in 1983 together with Zoltán Kocsis.

Thanks to its innovative approach to music and the uncompromising dedication of its musicians, the BFO has become the youngest ensemble to join the world’s top ten symphony orchestras. In addition to Budapest, the orchestra regularly performs in some of the most important concert venues of the international music scene and is also present on international streaming platforms. Since its inception, the BFO has been recognized by Gramophone, the prestigious British musical periodical, three times: in 1998 and 2007, the magazine’s professional panel of judges awarded the BFO the prize for the best recording, while in 2022, thanks to audience votes, it was named Orchestra of the Year.

The BFO’s most considerable successes are connected to Mahler: their recording of Symphony No. 1 was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2013.

As well as recording successes and acclaimed tours, the BFO has also made a name for itself internationally with its series of innovative concerts. The Autism-friendly Cocoa

orchestra

Concerts, the Surprise Concerts – appreciated also at the Proms in London –, informal Midnight Music performances geared towards young adults, open-air concerts in Budapest, and the free Community Weeks are all unique in their own ways. Another special feature of the orchestra is that its members regularly form a choir at their concerts.

Each year, the BFO, in collaboration with the Ivan Fischer Opera Company, Müpa Budapest, and the Vicenza Opera Festival, also stages an opera production. The performances have been invited to the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York, Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi, the Edinburgh International Festival and the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg; in 2013, the Marriage of Figaro led the New York Magazine’s list of the best classical music events of the year. The Vicenza Opera Festival, founded by Iván Fischer, debuted in the fall of 2018 at the Teatro Olimpico.

In 2024, the European Orchestra Academy (EOA) has been founded by the collaboration of Iván Fischer, the Budapest Festival Orchestra and the European Youth Orchestra (EUYO).

BFO musicians

Fischer Iván

Conductor,

Music Director

Takács-Nagy Gábor

Principal Guest

Conductor

Violin

Daniel Bard (concertmaster)

Major Tamás (concertmaster)

Suyoen Kim (concertmaster)

Asztalos Bence

Biró Ágnes

Bodó Antónia

Bujtor Balázs

Czenke Csaba

Czirók Györgyi

Eckhardt Violetta

Gál-Tamási Mária

Gulyás Emese

Haják Krisztina

Illési Erika

Iván Tímea

Jász Pál

Kádár István

Kostyál Péter

Kovács Erika

Lesták Bedő Eszter

Lezsák Zsófia

Molnár Noémi

Mózes Anikó

Oláh Gyöngyvér

Pilz János

Sipos Gábor

Szabó Levente

Szefcsik Zsolt

Szlávik Zsuzsanna

Takácsné Nagy Gabriella

Tuska Zoltán

Birgit Katriin Born*

Lucrezia Costanzo*

Marta Dettlaff*

Kóbor Éva*

Viola

Gálfi Csaba

Gábor Ferenc

Bodolai Cecília

Bolyki László

Csoma Ágnes

Fekete Zoltán

Juhász Barna

Polónyi István

Reinhardt Nikoletta

Yamamoto Nao

Zárbok Zita

Barbora Butvydaite*

Hattie Joy Quick*

Cello

Szabó Péter

Dvorák Lajos

Eckhardt Éva

Alma Hernán Benedí

Kertész György

Liptai Gabriella

Mahdi Kousay

Mód Orsolya

Sovány Rita

Alejandro Viana

Herreros*

Double Bass

Fejérvári Zsolt

H. Zováthi Alajos

Brendan Kane

Kaszás Károly

Lévai László

Martos Attila

Naomi Shaham

Sipos Csaba

Puporka Jenő*

Flute

Pivon Gabriella

Jóföldi Anett

Oboe

Berger Márta

Berta Beáta

Clara Dent-Bogányi

Johannes Grosso

Eva Neuszerova

Marie-Noëlle Perreau

Clarinet

Ács Ákos

Andrea Caputo

Csalló Roland

Daniel Roscia

Szitka Rudolf

Bassoon

Bogányi Bence

Andrea Bressan

Duffek Mihály

Tallián Dániel

Vértesi Bálint

Ziv Wainer Bobrowitz*

Horn

Szőke Zoltán

Bereczky Dávid

Nagy Zsombor

Szabó András

Harangozó Máté*

Trumpet

Csikota Gergely

Czeglédi Zsolt

Póti Tamás

Tóth Zoltán

Trombone

Szakszon Balázs

Sztán Attila

Wagner Csaba

Yuval Wolfson

Janák Gergely Miklós*

Tuba

Bazsinka József

Keresztesi Bálint*

Harp

Polónyi Ágnes

Rosanna Rolton

Timpani

Dénes Roland

Torsten Schoenfeld

Percussion

Boris Boudinov

Fábry Boglárka

Hencz Kornél

Herboly László

Kurcsák István

Pusztai Gábor

Iris Van Den Bos

Keyboards, regular piano accompanists

Báll Dávid

Dinyés Soma

Mali Emese

Pétery Dóra * members of the European Orchestra Academy

Concerts

Julian Prégardien

Fischer and The Magic Flute

“The rays of sun chase night away.” If there is an opera for everyone, an opera about the very essence of life, it’s The Magic Flute. For the first time since 2015, Iván Fischer will once again bring to the stage Mozart’s philosophical tale, where good and bad, light and darkness, right and wrong, courage and fear, wisdom and superstition, vengeance and mercy are juxtaposed. The opera, which is Mozart’s last work for the stage, is an initiation ceremony and a moral tale about the journey to adulthood. “It’s an inscrutable work of magical power,” says Fischer, who is particularly awed by the opera’s optimism, humor, playfulness, fairy tale-like quality, deep humanism, or, in a single word, complexity. The international cast includes Mozart specialists from the world’s leading opera houses, several of whom are already familiar to the BFO’s audiences.

September 9 + 11 + 13

Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók National Concert Hall

9 Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Solti

11 Friday 7:00 p.m. Doráti

13 Sunday 7:00 p.m. Reiner

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The Magic Flute, K. 620

Iván Fischer conductor and director

Samantha Gaul Pamina

Julian Prégardien Tamino

Franz-Josef Selig Sarastro

Alina Wunderlin Queen of the Night

Sarah Maria Sun Papagena

Markus Werba Papageno

Mirella Hagen First Lady

Olivia Vermeulen Second Lady

Marie Seidler Third Lady

Stuart Patterson Monostatos

Peter Harvey Speaker / Second Priest / Second Armored Man

A joint production of the BFO, the Ivan Fischer Opera Company, Müpa Budapest, and the Vicenza Opera Festival.

Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the BFO

The legendary Sir John Eliot Gardiner will conduct the Budapest Festival Orchestra for the first time! The Honorary Doctor of the Liszt Academy and multiple Grammy Award-winning conductor rose to international fame mainly through his performances of early music, but he also enjoys exploring Romantic compositions. He conducts with “boundless energy,” to borrow a characterization from The Guardian, be it Joseph Haydn or Jean Sibelius, the composers featured in his program. Although the two composers arguably have little in common, the dual threads of patriotism and cosmopolitanism run through the concert. The evening’s centerpiece is a work from Haydn’s triumphant London period, composed following his release from decades of service to the Esterházy court. The program concludes with a Sibelius symphony inspired by an excursion to Italy. With the opening piece, BFO musicians will once again demonstrate their talents as a choir with a deeply moving performance of the heart-wrenching song by the Finnish composer.

October 4– 5– 6

Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók

National Concert Hall

4 Sunday 3:30 p.m. Reiner

5 Monday 7:45 p.m. Doráti

6 Tuesday 7:45 p.m. Solti, Kertész

John Eliot Gardiner conductor

Jean Sibelius

Six Songs – Sydämeni laulu (Song of My Heart), Op. 18, No. 6

Joseph Haydn

Symphony No. 103 in E-flat major (“Drumroll”), Hob. I:103

Jean Sibelius

Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43

Concertino

In the 2026–27 season, the Concertino series will return, with the BFO’s chamber orchestra offering both well-known masterpieces and unfairly overlooked works from the Baroque to the twentieth century. The ensemble, which will perform without a conductor, will be led by Daniel Bard, one of the orchestra’s concertmasters. The energetic works by Austro-Czech composer Erwin Schulhoff blend modern sounds and neoclassical elements with jazz and the dance rhythms of various national traditions. Schulhoff’s composition will be followed by one of the earliest trombone concertos in music literature, featuring Attila Sztán, the BFO’s Junior Prima Award winning musician, as soloist. After the concerto, which blends graceful elegance with structural rigidity, the ensemble will perform Handel’s ever-faster concerto grosso, composed for full string ensemble without soloists. The program will conclude with Tchaikovsky’s popular chamber piece invoking Mozart and Haydn.

November 6– 7

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

6 Friday 7:45 p.m. Ormándy, Kertész

7 Saturday 3:30 p.m. Fricsay

Attila Sztán trombone

Daniel Bard artistic director

Erwin Schulhoff

Five Pieces for String Quartet, WV 68 – arranged for string orchestra

Johann Georg Albrechtsberger Trombone Concerto

Georg Friedrich Handel

Concerto Grosso in B-flat major, Op. 6, No. 7, HWV 325

Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Serenade for Strings, Op. 48

Concert for Nature

In November, the concert hall of Müpa Budapest will be filled with spring birdsong. The program, which will remind us of the importance of preserving our planet, will open with the music of Einojuhani Rautavaara, the greatest Finnish composer of the second half of the twentieth century, who pays tribute to the breathtaking Finnish landscape and wildlife with a concerto composed for birds and orchestra. The closing piece will be a symphony by Beethoven, himself also a passionate nature lover. The symphony evokes memories of rural life, including a bit of woodwind ornithology. Between the two, Mozart’s final violin concerto – a fresh and colorful composition –will be performed, featuring Georgian Lisa Batiashvili as the “fearless, tonally rich and technically immaculate” (The Guardian) soloist. The orchestra will be seated under an enormous tree symbolizing the love of nature and our sense of responsibility for the natural world.

November 1 3 – 14 + 16

Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók

National Concert Hall

13 Friday 7:45 p.m. Doráti

14 Saturday 3:30 p.m. Reiner, Storytime with Iván

16 Monday 7:45 p.m. Solti

Lisa Batiashvili violin

Iván Fischer conductor

Einojuhani Rautavaara

Cantus Arcticus, Op. 61

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 6 in F Major (“Pastorale”), Op. 68

Lisa Batiashvili

Surprise Concert

If it’s December 26, it’s Boxing Day, and, since 1983, it’s also the birthday of the Budapest Festival Orchestra. Traditionally, however, it’s our audiences who receive the gifts. The Surprise Concert promises a truly special experience, as one can never quite know what Iván Fischer, an artist of tireless imagination, will conjure from his rich musical repertoire. Over the years, concertgoers have voted on the program and even formed a choir. There have been chamber performances and solo appearances; the music has ranged from jazz and klezmer to folk traditions. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and contemporary styles have all had their place, and, on some occasions, listeners have even been welcomed by entirely unexpected seating arrangements. Of course, this year’s program is still a surprise, but one thing is for sure: everyone who comes and opens the present given by the orchestra will enjoy an uplifting atmosphere and captivating musical experiences.

December 26

Budapest Congress Center

26 Saturday 7:45 p.m.

Iván Fischer conductor

The ticket sale for the Surprise Concert starts on October 13, 2026 at 10 00 a.m.

Marin Alsop and Shostakovich’s Fifth

Marin Alsop returns to Budapest and the BFO after almost ten years!

The American artist, who has been hailed as a pioneer for female conductors, will again treat audiences to a grandiose violin concerto and a Shostakovich symphony, this time complemented by a symphonic poem. The principal guest conductor of both the Philadelphia and Philharmonia Orchestras is a superb violinist herself, so audiences can expect a sensitive rapport between Alsop and the soloist of the evening, Serbian-French violinist Nemanja Radulović. Radulović, who has been praised for his “lyric delicacy and super-virtuosity” (The Times) and who offers a compelling blend of tradition and bold experimentation, will perform Samuel Barber’s only violin concerto. The concerto, preceded by Richard Strauss’s passionate music and followed by Shostakovich’s grotesque apology, composed in 1937 against the backdrop of Stalin’s purges.

January 13– 14 + 16

Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók

National Concert Hall

13 Wednesday 7:45 p.m. Solti, Kertész

14 Thursday 7:45 p.m. Doráti

16 Saturday 3:30 p.m. Reiner

Nemanja Radulović violin

Marin Alsop conductor

Richard Strauss

Don Juan, Op. 20

Samuel Barber

Violin Concerto, Op. 14

Dmitri Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47

Young Violinists with Gábor Takács-Nagy

After his concerts featuring Haydn and Mozart in recent years, Kossuth-Prize-winning conductor Gábor Takács-Nagy is now presenting a truly romantic program. The concert begins with Schubert’s overture, which was saved by the composer himself from more than one failure on stage (The Magic Harp, Rosamunde) before it became a popular concert piece. This will be followed by Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1., which explores the depths of the instrument’s soul. Éva Kóbor, the soloist for this piece, has been working with the Budapest Festival Orchestra as a member of the European Orchestra Academy since 2024. Kóbor was invited to perform after winning the ensemble’s Sándor Végh Competition as a co-winner in January 2026. The concert will conclude with Schumann’s Symphony No. 2. This music, born of personal struggle, mirrors Schumann’s journey through physical and mental illness toward recovery.

January 23– 24– 25

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

23 Saturday 7:45 p.m. Ormándy

24 Sunday 3:30 p.m. Fricsay

25 Monday 7:45 p.m. Széll

Éva Kóbor violin

Gábor Takács-Nagy conductor

Franz Schubert

The Magic Harp – Overture, D. 644

Max Bruch

Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26

Robert Schumann

Symphony No. 2 in C major, Op. 61

Jonathan Cohen and the BFO’s Baroque Ensemble

In the BFO’s early music concert, ethereal dance movements alternate with arias about burning passion. Jonathan Cohen, the orchestra’s returning guest conductor and a British expert on Baroque music, will ensure historically faithful interpretations, while Sigrid T’Hooft, an indispensable contributor to the series, will be responsible for historical gestures. The star of the night will be Vivica Genaux; the Alaskaborn mezzo-soprano captured public attention with her CD featuring baroque arias associated with the repertoire of the famous castrato Farinelli. Her recordings are regarded as gems of historic performance. Genaux, a specialist in the Baroque and bel canto repertoires, captivates listeners instantly even when singing arias taken out of their original context. Following the orchestral suites with which the program opens, audiences can enjoy her beautiful voice and extraordinary technical prowess in arias by Vivaldi and Hasse, which alternate between sorrowful and fiery, lyrical and unstoppably virtuosic.

February 5– 6

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

5 Friday 7:45 p.m. Ormándy

6 Saturday 3:30 p.m. Fricsay

Vivica Genaux mezzo-soprano

Jonathan Cohen artistic director

Sigrid T’Hooft Baroque gesture

Johann Friedrich Fasch

Orchestral Suite in G Minor, FWV K:g2

Antonio Vivaldi

Gelido in ogni vena (Frosty in every vein) – aria from the opera Farnace, RV 711

Johann Adolph Hasse Parto coll’alma in pena (I am leaving with an aching heart) aria from the opera Siroes, King of Persia

Christoph Graupner

Orchestral Suite in G major, GWV 466

Johann Adolph Hasse Piange quel fonte (That spring weeps) – aria from the opera Numa Pompilio; Padre ingiusto (Unjust father) – aria from the opera Cajo Fabricio

Fischer and Mahler’s Titan

The BFO’s Children's Choir is set to make its debut at a grand concert. The project, which was conceived by Iván Fischer, brings together young singers with exceptional abilities from different parts of Hungary and offers them opportunities to perform and participate in individual and group musical training sessions. The program combines the rich traditions of Hungarian choral singing with the cutting-edge educational methods of the best international schools. As part of this, the children’s choir will perform songs from different national traditions, from Hungary to Israel, Japan, and Mexico. The leitmotif of the entire selection is the conviction that we belong not only together but also to the natural world around us. The young titans will be followed by another “Titan,” Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, a work of rich and varied emotions that premiered in Budapest and, notably, incorporates a children’s song.

February 14– 15– 16

Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók

National Concert Hall

14 Sunday 3:30 p.m. Reiner, Storytime with Iván

15 Monday 7:45 p.m. Doráti, Széll

16 Tuesday 7:45 p.m. Solti

The Children’s Choir of the Budapest Festival Orchestra

Irene Verburg and László

Norbert Nemes artistic directors

Iván Fischer conductor

Songs from the World (traditional songs and song arrangements by Zoltán Kodály, Max Knigge, Naomi Shemer, Françoise Leleu, Michael Neaum and Arvo Pärt)

Gustav Mahler

Symphony No. 1 in D major (“Titan”)

Robin Ticciati and A Hero’s Life

Two geniuses of orchestration, two masterpieces of intimate tone, and two world-renowned musicians – all in one concert. Robin Ticciati, British music director of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, returns to the BFO to conduct two grand pieces from the turn of the century. The concert begins with Rachmaninoff’s first piano concerto, which blends the composer’s youthful passion and the older maestro’s experience. One could say the same of the soloist, who, according to Riccardo Chailly, possesses extraordinary musical depth and technical abilities, despite his youth. Born in 2001, Malofeev “manifests the piano mastery of the new millennium in itself” (Il Giornale). The second half of the concert offers a portrait of Strauss himself, as his tone poem A Hero’s Life is a kind of ironic musical mirror, reflecting the composer and, even more so, the world around him.

March 6 + 8– 9

Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók

National Concert Hall

6 Saturday 3:30 p.m. Reiner, Széll

8 Monday 7:45 p.m. Doráti

9 Tuesday 7:45 p.m. Solti

Alexander Malofeev piano

Robin Ticciati conductor

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp minor, Op. 1

Richard Strauss

Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life), Op. 40

Young Violinists with Gábor Takács-Nagy

The BFO’s spring concert kicks off with works by Polish and Hungarian composers performed by Polish and Hungarian musicians. Composers Béla Bartók and Karol Szymanowski and musicians Gábor Takács-Nagy and Marta Dettlaff complement one another in friendly harmony. At the second concert of the BFO’s series introducing young violinists, conductor Takács-Nagy, who also enjoys international renown as a violinist, will put the spotlight on Dettlaff, the orchestra’s Polish academist and one of the winners of the 2026 Sándor Végh Competition. Dettlaff, who was born in 2001, will perform Szymanowski’s violin concerto, an example of “sophisticated primitivism” and a unique blend of raw folk energy and impressionistic tones. But first, the orchestra will play five folksong-like pieces by Bartók, who also returned to his roots for inspiration. The concert concludes with Schumann’s deeply moving symphony, a work which developed over the course of roughly a decade.

March 18– 19– 20

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

18 Thursday 7:45 p.m. Kertész

19 Friday 7:45 p.m. Ormándy

20 Saturday 3:30 p.m. Fricsay

Marta Dettlaff violin

Gábor Takács-Nagy conductor

Béla Bartók

Hungarian Sketches, Sz. 97, BB 103

Karol Szymanowski

Violin Concerto No. 2, Op. 61

Robert Schumann

Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120

Fischer and Beethoven’s Ninth

“The Ninth,” referred to with this simple term, is a masterpiece known to everyone. Beethoven’s last, longest, and most monumental symphony is at once the embodiment of the ideas of the genius and the rebellious artist, as well as a celebration of the whole of humankind. It is a work that pushes and indeed breaks down boundaries in every sense of the word, as it incorporates into a purely instrumental genre the human voice, which sings in the finale of how “all men become brothers.” Along with Beethoven’s universal musical and philosophical ideas, audiences can enjoy the return of the BFO’s much-loved guest artists, a Swedish soprano, a Dutch alto, an English tenor, and a German bass-baritone, who will ensure that this concert, where, together with the Pan-European Choir and the Hungarian National Choir, they will sing Schiller’s immortal lines (now the text of the European Union anthem), will traverse national boundaries.

April 14– 15 + 17

Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók

National Concert Hall

14 Wednesday 7:45 p.m.

15 Thursday 7:45 p.m.

17 Saturday 3:30 p.m. Storytime with Iván

Maria Bengtsson soprano

Olivia Vermeulen alto

Andrew Staples tenor

Hanno Müller-Brachmann bass

Pan-European Choir

Irene Verburg choir director

Hungarian National Choir

Csaba Somos choir director

Iván Fischer conductor

Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

Haydn-Mozart with Gérard Korsten

We are pleased to announce that the series presenting the music of the two Viennese masters continues, with Gérard Korsten returning to the BFO after 2024, once again to conduct pieces by Haydn and Mozart. Korsten, who is known for his dynamic temperament and uncompromising attitude towards sound quality, will focus this time on the horns. Depths and heights, lyricism and virtuosity, singing and fireworks, hunting and a serenade – all conveyed by the horns. It seems that Viennese classicism was full of horn virtuosos, as will be captivatingly illustrated not only by the horn concertos listed on the program but also by the two other pieces, in which Haydn and Mozart each included four horns. The soloist for the concertos will be Alessio Allegrini, who has been the principal horn of several ensembles, from La Scala Orchestra to the Lucerne Festival Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic.

April 23– 24– 25

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

23 Friday 7:45 p.m. Ormándy

24 Saturday 7:45 p.m. Széll, Kertész

25 Sunday 3:30 p.m. Fricsay

Alessio Allegrini horn

Gérard Korsten conductor

Joseph Haydn

Symphony No. 72 in D major, Hob. I:72

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Horn Concerto No. 2 in E-flat major, K. 417

Joseph Haydn

Horn Concerto No. 1 in D major, Hob. VIId:3

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Divertimento No. 2 in D major, K. 131

Chouchane Siranossian and the BFO’s Baroque Ensemble

Tilting at windmills; a tempestuous love story; a tasteful collage; virtuosic minimalism; an eccentric job search; emotional turmoil; and a Venetian musketeer – all wrapped in Baroque music. The BFO’s concert, performed using period instruments, will feature seven pieces by four composers.

Armenian-French violinist Chouchane Siranossian will lead the orchestra’s performance of seldom played works by Telemann, Handel, Bach, and Veracini. Siranossian’s violin performances, which combine talent and research, have been described as “unique and angelic” (Gramophone), “tremendously dynamic” (The Strad), and “worthy of the spotlight” (Diapason). The cantatas will come alive through Baroque specialist

Andreas Wolf’s “powerful, resonant voice with a beautiful bronze tone” (Bachtrack). And, once again, the audience will have the opportunity to enjoy the authentic period choreography of Sigrid T’Hooft, one of the most renowned experts of Baroque gestures, who has been supporting the work of the orchestra for more than fifteen years.

May 7– 8

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

7 Friday 7:45 p.m. Ormándy

8 Saturday 3:30 p.m. Fricsay

Andreas Wolf bass

Chouchane Siranossian

artistic director and Baroque violin

Sigrid T’Hooft Baroque gesture

Georg Philipp Telemann

Don Quixote Suite, TWV 55:G10

Johann Sebastian Bach

Sinfonia in D major, BWV 1045

Georg Friedrich Handel

Concerto Grosso in B-flat major, Op. 3, No. 2, HWV 313; Cuopre tal volta il cielo

(An Unforeseen Dark Cloud May Cover the Sky) – Cantata, HWV 98

Francesco Maria Veracini

Orchestral Suite No. 6 in G minor

Georg Friedrich Handel

Spande ancor a mio dispetto (Fate still weighs on me unwelcome) – Cantata, HWV 165

Francesco Maria Veracini

Concerto in D major for Eight Instruments

Fischer and Nicolas Altstaedt

Romance, with a capital R, the way a French and an Austrian composer understand it. The first half of the concert features Saint-Saëns’s often fiery concerto, a work that ranges across extreme emotional states. Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich called it the greatest concerto of all time. The soloist will be Nicolas Altstaedt, whom international critics have described as being in a class of his own, a great storyteller who captivates audiences with each note. After the intermission, Iván Fischer will lead the orchestra for Bruckner’s monumental Symphony No. 7. Over an hour long, the piece was Bruckner’s most acclaimed work. And as surprising as it may seem, Wagner provides the link between the two pieces. The conservatives described Saint-Saëns as too modern, calling him a forerunner of Wagner, while Bruckner was a devotee of his compatriot’s music and paid homage to Wagner in several ways through his own music.

May 14– 15– 16

Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók

National Concert Hall

14 Friday 7:45 p.m. Solti, Kertész

15 Saturday 7:45 p.m. Doráti

16 Sunday 3:30 p.m. Storytime with Iván, Széll

Nicolas Altstaedt cello

Iván Fischer conductor

Camille Saint-Saëns

Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33

Anton Bruckner

Symphony No. 7 in E major, WAB 107

Concertino

Composers will always be attracted to an intimate orchestral sound. At the early summer event of its Concertino series, the BFO will justify this contention with compositions from three distinct periods of music history. The program, with which the season comes to a close, will be framed by two arrangements of poems. In Summer Night, arguably his most popular instrumental work, Swiss composer Othmar Schoeck reacted to the cataclysm of World War II with a message of solidarity. Probably Schubert’s most effective chamber piece, the String Quartet in D minor, offers insight into the concept of death in the Romantic mind. Between the two works, the audience will be treated to a performance of Mozart’s only concerto composed from the outset for the flute. When one hears a piece of such charm, it can be difficult to believe that Mozart himself was not fond of the instrument. The soloist will be Gabriella Pivon, a prominent member of the orchestra, with the ensemble led by concertmaster Daniel Bard, a passionate advocate of chamber music performance.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

11 Friday 7:45 p.m. Ormándy

12 Saturday 3:30 p.m. Fricsay

Gabriella Pivon flute

Daniel Bard artistic director June 11– 12

Othmar Schoeck

Sommernacht, Op. 58

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Flute Concerto No. 1 in G major, K. 313

Franz Schubert – Gustav Mahler

String Quartet No. 14 in D minor (“Death and the Maiden”), D. 810

– arranged for string orchestra

The Gruffalo - a children’s opera by Iván Fischer

Iván Fischer was requested by the Berlin Konzerthaus to compose an opera for children based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s world-famous picture book, The Gruffalo. The humorous opera now premieres in Hungary in translation by Ádám Nádasdy. The production is recommended for children between the ages of 3 and 10. The opera follows the adventures of a clever little mouse who, while strolling through the forest, meets a fox, an owl, and a snake, all eager to eat him. To escape, he invents a fearsome creature called the Gruffalo, with terrible claws, terrible tusks, and, believe it or not, a particular taste for foxes, owls, and snakes. The trick works, until, quite out of the blue, a real Gruffalo appears, so our clever mouse must outsmart him, too. After the performance, members of the audience who are brave enough will have a chance to take a picture with the Gruffalo and the other characters of this delightfully fanciful tale.

October 17 - 18

Saturday and Sunday

2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

November 7 - 8

Saturday and Sunday 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler text and images translated by Ádám Nádasdy

Róbert Farkas musical director

Eszter Novák director

January 2 - 3

Saturday and Sunday 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Iván Fischer The Gruffalo

Cocoa Concerts

For almost a quarter of a century, the Budapest Festival Orchestra’s program series for children has brought a high-quality classical musical experience to the youngest. The orchestra’s rehearsal hall not only serves experimenting with the tiniest details of the symphonic pieces to be performed, or playing chamber music, but also as the venue for educating the next generation of classical music lovers. There is no better promotion of these events than the fact that several members of the BFO’s loyal audiences came to love music at these Cocoa Concerts, with a polka-dot mug in their hands. And nowadays, they bring their own kids. While listening to the performance of the orchestra’s excellent musicians in a cozy atmosphere, the audience will learn about the instruments of the symphony orchestra and concert etiquette in a playful and interactive manner. After the concert, the kids can have a mug of cocoa in the lobby.

Saturday

2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Erika Illési September 19

January 30

Saturday

2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Erika Illési

Saturday

2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Erika Illési November 28

Saturday 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Erika Illési December 12

Sunday

2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Iván Fischer April 18

Midnight Music

Will you come at midnight and listen to some classical music while lounging on a beanbag, just an arm’s length from the musicians? This question might have sounded weird ten years ago, but, thanks to the Budapest Festival Orchestra, Midnight Music has since become one of the best and most popular programs for those who have a keen interest in culture but don’t like the constraints at traditional concerts. There is no need to dress up, and these concerts won’t last for hours; instead, you can enjoy the friendly, relaxed atmosphere, made even more personable by Iván Fischer’s witty comments about the pieces being performed. A community event, a party instead of a party, a memorable experience – who said classical music was boring and rigid?

Sunday 11:30 p.m.

Castle Garden Bazaar

Iván Fischer November 15

Sunday 11:30 p.m.

Castle Garden Bazaar

Iván Fischer February 14

Saturday 11:30 p.m.

Castle Garden Bazaar

Iván Fischer May 15

Chamber music

Sunday Chamber Music 2026

September 20

Martinů, Smit, Janáček, Glière

BFO Rehearsal Hall, 5:00 p.m.

Bohuslav Martinů

Sonatina for Two Violins and Piano, H. 198

Violetta Eckhardt violin

Gyöngyvér Oláh violin

Emese Mali piano

Leo Smit

Trio for Clarinet, Viola and Piano Ákos Ács clarinet

Erika Illési viola

Emese Mali piano

Leoš Janáček

String Quartet No. 1

(“The Kreutzer Sonata”)

Gábor Sipos violin

Ágnes Biró violin

István Polónyi viola

Rita Sovány cello

Reinhold Glière

String Octet in D major, Op. 5

Zsófia Lezsák violin

Antónia Bodó violin

Noémi Molnár violin

Anikó Mózes violin

Csaba Gálfi viola

Krisztina Haják viola

Gabriella Liptai cello

Éva Eckhardt cello

October 11

Haydn, Mozart, Jolivet, Shostakovich

BFO Rehearsal Hall, 5:00 p.m.

Joseph Haydn

String Quartet in F major, Op. 77, No. 2, Hob. III:82

János Pilz violin

Anikó Mózes violin

Zita Zárbok viola

György Kertész cello

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Divertimento in B-flat major,

K.Anh. 229/439b, No. 1

Ákos Ács basset horn

Roland Csalló basset horn

Rudolf Szitka basset horn

André Jolivet

Chant de Linos

Gabriella Pivon flute

Daniel Bard violin

Shira Majoni viola

Rita Sovány cello

Ágnes Polónyi harp

Dmitri Shostakovich

Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67

Daniel Bard violin

Péter Szabó cello

István Lajkó piano

November 29

Rossini, Tchaikovsky, Schmitt, Vaughan Williams

BFO Rehearsal Hall, 5:00 p.m.

Gioachino Rossini

String Sonata No. 4 in B-flat major

Mária Gál-Tamási violin

Antónia Bodó violin

Gabriella Liptai cello

Csaba Sipos double bass

Pyotr Tchaikovsky

The Nutcracker – Suite, Op. 71a – transcript by Péter Kostyál

Péter Kostyál violin

Emese Gulyás violin

Zoltán Fekete viola

Attila Martos double bass

Florent Schmitt

Trombone Quartet, Op. 109

Balázs Szakszon trombone

Attila Sztán trombone

Gergely Janák trombone

József Bazsinka tuba

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Quintet in D major

Gábor Sipos violin

Rita Sovány cello

Roland Csalló clarinet

Dávid Bereczky horn

Emese Mali piano

Sunday Chamber Music 2027

January 31

Mozart, Debussy, Mendelssohn

BFO Rehearsal Hall, 5:00 p.m.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581

János Pilz violin

Anikó Mózes violin

Gábor Sipos viola

Orsolya Mód cello

Rudolf Szitka clarinet

Claude Debussy

Petite Suite, L. 65

– transcript by Gordon Davies

Anett Jóföldi flute

Beáta Berta oboe

Roland Csalló clarinet

Dániel Tallián bassoon

Dávid Bereczky horn

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13

Zsófia Lezsák violin

Noémi Molnár violin

Csaba Gálfi viola

Lajos Dvorák cello

March

14

Onslow, Horovitz, Brahms

BFO Rehearsal Hall, 5:00 p.m.

Georges Onslow

String Quintet No. 26 in C minor, Op. 67

Zsolt Szefcsik violin

Levente Szabó violin

István Polónyi viola

Orsolya Mód cello

Attila Martos double bass

Joseph Horovitz

Music Hall Suite

Gergely Csikota trumpet

Tamás Póti trumpet

Zoltán Szőke horn

Balázs Szakszon trombone

József Bazsinka tuba

Johannes Brahms

String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat major, Op. 18

Tímea Iván violin

Noémi Molnár violin

Zoltán Tuska viola

Barna Juhász viola

Péter Szabó cello

Gabriella Liptai cello

Back to Nature – Chamber Music on Period Instruments 2026

December 6

Kapsberger, Vaccari, Landini, Telemann, C.P.E. Bach

BFO Rehearsal Hall, 5:00 p.m.

Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger

Toccata VII; Passacaglia

Igor Davidovics theorbo

Ágnes Polónyi arpa doppia

Giuseppe Vaccari

Concerto in C major

Igor Davidovics Baroque mandolin

Ágnes Polónyi arpa doppia

Francesco Landini

Giovine donna vidi star;

Ara' tu pièta mai; Partesi con dolore;

Gram piant' agli occhi

Dóra Pétery organetto

János Bali Renaissance recorder

Gyöngyvér Oláh Gothic harp

Georg Philipp Telemann

Double Concerto in E minor for Recorder and Flute, TWV 52:e1

Vera Balogh Baroque flute

Salamon Eredics recorder

Gyöngyvér Oláh Baroque violin

Emese Gulyás Baroque violin

Nikoletta Reinhardt Baroque viola

György Kertész Baroque cello

Csaba Sipos Baroque double bass

Dóra Pétery harpsichord

Ágnes Polónyi arpa doppia

László Herboly percussion

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

Trio Sonata in G major, H. 574

Vera Balogh Baroque flute

Gyöngyvér Oláh Baroque violin

György Kertész Baroque cello

Dóra Pétery harpsichord

Georg Philipp Telemann

Overture-Suite in A minor, TWV 55:a2

Salamon Eredics recorder

Gyöngyvér Oláh Baroque violin

Emese Gulyás Baroque violin

Nikoletta Reinhardt Baroque viola

György Kertész Baroque cello

Csaba Sipos Baroque double bass

Dóra Pétery harpsichord

Ágnes Polónyi arpa doppia

László Herboly percussion

Music of the Future – Contemporary Chamber Music 2027

May 2

Márkos, Cangelosi, Antal, Sztrukov, Ustvolskaya, Csíky

BFO Rehearsal Hall, 5:00 p.m.

Albert Márkos

Túl égen úton; örök sej; plem, plem – hommage à W. S.

(string quartet)

Mária Gál-Tamási violin

Antónia Bodó violin

István Polónyi viola

Gabriella Liptai cello

Casey Cangelosi

"Caprice" for Xylophone and Piccolo

István Kurcsák xylophone

Eszter Boglárka Réti piccolo

Mária Antal

N-harmony – Tree of Life

Ágnes Polónyi harp

Gyöngyvér Oláh violin

Emese Gulyás violin

Erika Illési viola

Gabriella Liptai cello

Csaba Sipos double bass

István Kurcsák percussion

László Herboly percussion

Boglárka Fábry percussion

Valery Strukov

Tuba Quartet

Balázs Szakszon euphonium

Attila Sztán euphonium

József Bazsinka Jr. tuba

József Bazsinka tuba

Galina Ustvolskaya

Composition No. 1

“Dona nobis pacem”

Anett Jóföldi piccolo

József Bazsinka tuba

Irina Ivanyickaja piano

Boldizsár Csíky

String Quartet No. 2

István Kádár violin

Pál Jász violin

Zita Zárbok viola

Lajos Dvorák cello

Celebrating a premiere in the realm of the Queen of the Night

Join us as we usher in a new season and celebrate opera, music, the marvel of the human voice, creativity, and the many-layered artistry of a genre that delights and stirs all the senses.

Iván Fischer has renewed The Magic Flute. Mozart’s opera transports us into a world of enchantment, allowing an escape from the daily grind. Join us for tasty hors d'oeuvres before the curtain rises, served in an atmosphere created by fashion designer Eszter Cselényi and unmistakably evoking the world of Mozart himself. After the opera, guests of the BFO and Müpa Budapest are invited to an informal gathering to meet the artists and creators participating in the performance. Selfies allowed! Gone will be the distance between stage and audience, and art will become tangible. An evening of connections and once-in-a-lifetime encounters. In the realm of the Queen of the Night, it is not just our hearts and minds which dress up. At last year’s Viva Don Giovanni! reception, guests enjoyed donning formal attire to help make the opera premiere even more memorable. We hope this will become a tradition.

If you are an opera-lover and enjoy dressing up for an evening event, join us! Celebrate with the BFO and the exceptional international artists who bring this luminous performance to life.

Müpa Budapest, Glass Hall September 09

European Orchestra Academy

The European Orchestra Academy, founded by Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra, now embarks upon its third season.

The EOA is a boldly reimagined orchestral training project in which gifted young European musicians collaborate on a program side by side with world-class orchestral artists, providing an immersive educational experience. Truly international in spirit, the Academy brings together musicians from Estonia, Italy, Poland, Lithuania, Spain, Israel, the United States, and Hungary. In the course of the program, our academists are offered orchestral experience, opportunities to perform in self-conducted chamber orchestras, masterclasses, and residency programs around Europe. This academic year’s orchestral projects will be led by distinguished conductors of global fame, including John Eliot Gardiner, Marin Alsop, Robin Ticciati, and Iván Fischer. The master classes will be taught by Gábor Takács-Nagy, Gordan Nikolić, Mikayel Hakhnazaryan, Gilian Baracs, and Gernot Süßmuth.

Each season, EOA members participate in four one-week residency programs in European Union member states. These residencies combine artistic excellence with social engagement: the young musicians present free community concerts for children, the elderly, and those who might not otherwise have access to live events. This season, audiences in Bruges, Vicenza, Berlin, and Aix-en-Provence can enjoy performances by the young musicians, who will also play in Montreux. Kronberg Academy serves as the special partner of the EOA’s chamber orchestra, and they also perform together at international events. This year’s joint project will be led by Gordan Nikolić.

Concert calendar

2026 September 9

Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and The Magic Flute

Solti

11

Friday 7:00 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and The Magic Flute

Doráti

13

Sunday 7:00 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and The Magic Flute

Reiner

19

Saturday 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Cocoa Concert*

20

Sunday 5:00 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Sunday Chamber Music

October 4

Sunday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the BFO

Reiner

5

Monday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the BFO

Doráti

6

Tuesday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the BFO

Solti, Kertész

11

Sunday 5:00 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Sunday Chamber Music

17

Saturday 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

The Gruffalo – a children's opera by Iván Fischer*

18

Sunday 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

The Gruffalo – a children's opera by Iván Fischer*

November

6

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Concertino

Ormándy, Kertész

7

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Concertino

Fricsay

7

Saturday 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

The Gruffalo – a children's opera by Iván Fischer*

8

Sunday 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

The Gruffalo – a children's opera by Iván Fischer*

13

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Concert for Nature

Doráti

14

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Concert for Nature

– Storytime with Iván

Reiner, Storytime with Iván*

15

Sunday 11:30 p.m.

Castle Garden Bazaar

Midnight Music

16

Monday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Concert for Nature

Solti

28

Saturday 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Cocoa Concert*

29

Sunday 5:00 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Sunday Chamber Music

*Hungarian speaking program

2026– 27

December

6

Sunday 5:00 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Back to Nature – Chamber Music on Period Instruments

12

Saturday 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Cocoa Concert*

26

Saturday 7:45 p.m.

Budapest Congress Center Surprise Concert January

2

Saturday 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

The Gruffalo – a children's opera by Iván Fischer*

3

Sunday 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

The Gruffalo – a children's opera by Iván Fischer*

13

Wednesday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Marin Alsop and Shostakovich’s Fifth Solti, Kertész

14

Thursday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Marin Alsop and Shostakovich’s Fifth Doráti

16

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Marin Alsop and Shostakovich’s Fifth Reiner

23

Saturday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Young Violinists with Gábor Takács-Nagy Ormándy

24

Sunday 3:30 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Young Violinists with Gábor Takács-Nagy Fricsay

25

Monday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Young Violinists with Gábor Takács-Nagy Széll

30

Saturday 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Cocoa Concert*

31

Sunday 5:00 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Sunday Chamber Music

February

5

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Jonathan Cohen and the BFO's Baroque Ensemble Ormándy

6

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Jonathan Cohen and the BFO's Baroque Ensemble Fricsay

14

Sunday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Mahler’s Titan

– Storytime with Iván

Reiner, Storytime with Iván*

14

Sunday 11:30 p.m.

Castle Garden Bazaar

Midnight Music

15

Monday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Mahler’s Titan

Doráti, Széll

16

Tuesday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Mahler’s Titan Solti

March

6

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Robin Ticciati and A Hero's Life Reiner, Széll

8

Monday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Robin Ticciati and A Hero's Life

Doráti

*Hungarian speaking program

2027

9

Tuesday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Robin Ticciati and A Hero's Life

Solti

14

Sunday 5:00 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Sunday Chamber Music

18

Thursday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall Young Violinists with Gábor Takács-Nagy Kertész

19

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall Young Violinists with Gábor Takács-Nagy Ormándy

20

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Young Violinists with Gábor Takács-Nagy Fricsay

April 14

Wednesday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Beethoven’s Ninth

15

Thursday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Beethoven’s Ninth

17

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Beethoven’s Ninth

– Storytime with Iván

Storytime with Iván*

18

Sunday 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Cocoa Concert*

23

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Haydn–Mozart with Gérard Korsten Ormándy

24

Saturday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Haydn–Mozart with Gérard Korsten

Széll, Kertész

25

Sunday 3:30 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Haydn–Mozart with Gérard Korsten Fricsay May

2

Sunday 5:00 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Music of the Future

– Contemporary Chamber Music

7

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Chouchane Siranossian and the BFO's Baroque Ensemble Ormándy

8

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Chouchane Siranossian and the BFO's Baroque Ensemble Fricsay

14

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Nicolas Altstaedt

Solti, Kertész

15

Saturday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Nicolas Altstaedt Doráti

15

Saturday 11:30 p.m.

Castle Garden Bazaar

Midnight Music

16

Sunday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Nicolas Altstaedt

– Storytime with Iván

Storytime with Iván*, Széll

June

11

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Concertino Ormándy

12

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Concertino

Fricsay

*Hungarian speaking program

Individual giving

BFO

Patrons

„For me the Budapest Festival Orchestra is where excellence and community meet. Iván Fischer's vision not only creates world-class music, but also an intellectual realm that is good to belong to and a joy to support” – wrote a BFO Patron.

Season pass early purchase, visits to open rehearsals, club events and excursions, private dinners and gatherings, participation in tours, meeting our musicians and Iván Fischer in person, VIP services: BFO Patrons have so many benefits and exclusive offers to look forward to, in addition to world-class musical experiences. Become a member of the BFO’s happy family! For further information please contact our colleagues, Zsuzsanna Deák (Conductor's Circle and Benefactors POC) or Eszter Riesz (Patrons and Fellows POC) at tamogatoiklub@bfz.hu, or visit bfz.hu/ family

Annual membership fees

Individual membership

Dual membership

Patrons' ambassadors

Let us introduce the ambassadors of BFO Patrons, our loyal friends, who have not only supported the Budapest Festival Orchestra for several years but are also committed to helping us with their expertise and advice. As Iván Fischer puts it, BFO Patrons are the happiest family in Hungary. Our ambassadors are dedicated to continuously extending this cohesive circle and offering them fascinating events and musical programs. They help BFO Patrons to get to know each other while representing our orchestra all over the world.

Dénes Andrea Marschall Miklós

Martin Csilla

Mogyorós Gábor

Rényi Andrea

International friends

The work of the Budapest Festival Orchestra is supported by a network of Friends of the BFO all over the world. We look forward to welcoming BFO fans living abroad to our international communities in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Switzerland. If you or a friend of yours would like to join our music-loving network around the world, for further information, please visit our website or contact us at partner@bfz.hu or +36 1 489 4333.

BFO

Patrons

The Conductor's Circle

Gold Level Members

Yosef Salamon

Walter Katalin and Cornelius Walter

Silver Level Members

Balassa Beatrix bpv Jádi Németh Ügyvédi Iroda

Göczőné Magyar Andrea and Göcző József

Bernhard Hulla

Kiss Viktor dr. Szecskay Ügyvédi Iroda

Vámos György dr.

Bronze Level Members

Bojár Gábor and his wife

Zanker Zsuzsanna dr.

Élő Nóra

Helia-D Kft.

Illés Gábor and Leányvári Enikő

Benefactors

Gold Benefactors

Bognár Péter – Vaya Travel Kft.

Bottka Erzsébet dr. and Feldmájer Péter dr.

םהרבא

David-Barrett Tamás

Eliason Maria and James

Iguana Bar & Grill

John Farago

Juhász Zoltán, instrument maker

Marmorstein Pékség

Martin Csilla and Dale Martin

Mosonyi Ágnes

Oszkai Rita

Rényi Andrea and Straub Elek

Simor András and Velencei Renáta

Silver Benefactors

Balázs Árpád and Dénes Andrea

Barna Judit dr.

Bihary, Balassa Ügyvédi Iroda

Bíró Ágnes

Bródy Péter dr. and Ildikó

Bulla Zsófia and Mártonfi Attila

Csépe Valéria dr. and Molnár Imre

Egervári Gábor dr.

Finta Zoltán dr.

György Pál dr. and Simon Ágnes

Istenesné Solti Andrea Kalmár György

Kis Bernadett dr. and Bencsik László

Kobela Mihály and Balogh Anikó

Köves Ildikó and Sparing László

Lengyel Péter and Reichardt Ibolya

Madách Zsuzsánna

Marschall Miklós

Meinczinger-Krug Zsuzsanna and Krug Armin

Méri Gábor

Mészáros János

Dietmar Metzger and Metzger Mária

Mogyorós Gábor

Nyitrai István

Romsics Viktor dr. –

Romsics Ügyvédi Iroda

Simon Tibor

Sólyom Éva dr.

Surányi Sándor and Sándorné

Szabó Daniella

Szántó Csaba and Szántó-Kapornay Emőke

Szauer Péter

David and Petra Thompson

Varga Júlia

Varsányi Katalin and Pál

Zhoja Couture

Zsámboki Gabriella dr. and 1 anonymous patron

Bronze Benefactors

Bach György

Bacher Gusztáv

Bakró-Nagy Marianne

Berger Györgyné

Boros István

Burger-Balogh Ingeborg and Balogh Tibor

Karen M. Culver

Del Viscio Tiziana

Doleschall György and Szabó Katalin

Dögei Anna

Esztervári Adrienn dr. Fortelka Zsuzsanna

Garai Ferenc and Kárpát Krisztina

Gergely Pál dr. – Fortuna Galéria

Gerő Katalin dr. Göncz Kinga and Benedek László dr. György István

Hanák Gábor

Hancz László and and Mester Éva

Hermann Hilda

Holéci József

Horváth Jánosné dr. and Fekete István

Hőnig Gábor

Kelemenné dr. Visky Katalin

Kertész Gabriella dr. Király Éva

Kovács Éva

Kökény Mihály dr. and Stiller Mária

Lantos István dr.

László András –Professional Orvosi Kft.

Lázár János

Lengyel Péter

Leposa Csilla and Székely Zoltán

Márványi Katalin

Dietmar Metzger and Metzger Mária

Mezei Rudolf and Károvics Éva

Milottáné dr. Lázár Judit

Molnár Erzsébet Katalin

Molnár Gábor dr.

Paksy László dr.

Pálfalvi Márta

Poremba Andrea

Sáfár László dr.

SBGK Ügyvédi Iroda, Szamosi Katalin dr.

Schrancz Mihály and Andrea

Soltész + Soltész Kft.

Somodi Péter

Szarvas László – Dundus 2001 Kft.

Székely Éva and

Balázs Lajos

Székely Zsófia and Endre

Tárnok Gyöngyi

Tasnádi László

Tokaji Nagy Erzsébet

Tóth Gábor and his wife

Török Zoltán dr.

Vihar Judit dr.

Votin Elek

Zsidai Ilona and 2 anonymous patrons

Supporters

Gold Supporters

Bánáti Mária

Barta Pál

Eisler Péter dr.

Falus András dr.

Felkai Tamás

Garics Zoltánné

Harmos Margit

Herczeg Ferenc

Hollós Sándor dr.

Horváth Dávid

Kádi Anna

Kertész Zsuzsanna dr.

Király Júlia

Lantos Mihály and Berkes Zsuzsanna dr.

László György Attila

Liliom Károly

Magyarosy Edina

Menczel Péter

Nagy István and Sályi Katalin

Pálfia Judit dr.

Pirityi Katalin

Sápi Lajos

Somogyi Éva and and Horváth László

Spohn Ferenc

Szabó–Szomor Ügyvédi Iroda

Szever Zsuzsanna dr. and Dalos Mihály

Szigeti Éva dr.

Szilbereky Éva

Tánczos Márta

Vajda János and Radnai Mónika

Vári László

Várkonyi Vera dr. and 12 anonymous patrons

Silber Supporters

Agócs Ágnes

Alföldi István

Ambrus Ágnes dr.

Bálint Péter

Bárd Anna

Barsi Gusztáv dr.

Bende Zoltán

Berta Izabella

Bertalan Éva dr.

Böszörményi Katalin dr.

Csanádi Judit

Csernay László dr.

Csillag György dr.

Deák Ágnes

Drexler Miklós

Farkas Ágnes

Farkas Gábor

Frank Éva

Füredi Gábor

Galambos Ágnes

Gálosi György

Garai Anikó

Gordon Pál

Gottgeisl Rita

Görgényi Orsolya

Halász Anna

Halász Gábor dr.

Hegyes Erzsébet dr. and Szolnoki Gábor

Horváth László

Jenei Gábor

Jenes Katalin

Jurák Eszter

Kabódi Erzsébet

Kabódi Ferenc

Kabódi Mátyás

Keviczky László

Kis Ádám

Kitzinger Dávid

Klinga Ágnes

Kovács Péter dr.

Kőszegi László

Kressinszky Katalin

Krizsán Zsombor Mihály

Lázár József

Lebhardt Imre and Zsuzsa

Lövenberg Gábor and Radó Julianna dr.

Matskási István dr.

Mravik Balázs Áron

Németh Szabolcs

Őr Mária

Patkós Katalin

Patyánik Mihály dr.

Péley Bernadette dr. and K. Németh Margit

Pelle Gáborné

Petur Márta

R. Fehér Gabriella

BFO

Patrons

Ráduly-Kiss Sarolta Ilona

Rákosi Csilla

Révai Péter dr.

Rimanóczy Zoltán

Jáger Gyula

Rónai Tiborné

Schaffler György

Sik Endre and az unokák

Sitkei Éva dr.

Sivó Róbert

Soltész Anikó dr.

Szabó Klári

Tihanyi Ferenc

Tolcsvai Rózsa

Torma Kálmán

Tóth Anikó dr.

Tóth Katalin

Tóth Kinga

Tóth Mihály and neje

Makai Katalin dr. and Ungár János

Valis Éva Márta

Váradi János

Varga Péter

Várnai Magdolna and Kajtár István dr.

Vas László

Vassné Mátyók Tinka

Zachár Zsófia

Zeidler Gerdné

and 18 anonymous patrons

Bronze Supporters

Ábrahám Zoltán

Alaxai Rózsa

Alföldy Zoltánné

Almási Józsefné dr

Andrási Andor and Pusztai Éva

Ármay Zsuzsanna dr.

Bácskai Katalin

BálintvFerencné

Banai Endréné dr. Baranyi Éva dr.

Benczédi Krisztina

Benedek Andor

Benedek János

Berényi Gábor and Pető Katalin dr.

Biksz Péter

Boda Zsuzsanna

Bogdán Istvánné

Bognár Béla dr.

Bor Katalin

Bölöni Eszter

Bumberák József dr.

Csató Edit

Csécsei Eszter

Csillag Beáta

Danziger György dr.

Deák János

Ditrói Gyula and Márta

Dobos Erika

Dósai Tamara

Egervári Ildikó

Erdős Erzsébet dr.

Fáberné Fejes Katalin and Fáber András

Fábián András

Feldmájer Máté and Bán Petra

Feldmájer Ágnes and Sándor

Feldmájer Györgyi and Benedek Zsolt

Félegyházi Pál

Félix László

Földényi Éva

Földes Iván dr. and Zsuzsa

Francsicsné dr. Czinege Erzsébet

Furmann Gergely

Gadzsokova Kraszimira

Gallasz József

Gerő Judit

Gervai Judit dr.

Gidáli Júlia

Guti Péter

Gyarmati Béla

Győrvári Judit

Gyulai András

Halász Péterné

Halmos Judit and Magyar Mihály

Hammersberg Elemér dr.

Hárdi Lilla dr.

Hárs Ágnes

Havas István dr.

Heller Judit

Herrné Jordanics Katalin

Horváth István dr.

Horváth Júlia and Halász Gábor

Inkei Péter

István Apáthy

Jankó Béla

Janoczkó Éva

Jánossa Zoltán

Jászberényi Hanna

Kappelné Haraszty Noémi and Kozmer Margit

Kárpáti Margit

Kelemen Zsolt

Kerékgyártó Kálmán

Keve Károly

Kiss Mariann

Klaniczay Gábor

Kocsány János

Kondor András

Kónya Katalin dr.

Korodi Mihály and Magyar Zsuzsanna Kósa János

Kriston József dr.

Maár Judit dr. and Krokovay Zsolt dr. Ladányi Viktória

Láner Judit

Lantos Gáborné dr. Lendvayné Győrik Gabriella

Lőrincz Andrea MandlvJózsefné

Ihász Márta and Spollár József

Máté András

Meitner Tamás

Mészáros Tibor

Mezei Katalin

Mohácsi Endréné

Molnár Andrea

Molnár Csaba

Molnár Gáborné

Molnár Zsuzsa

Mosonyi Annamária dr.

Nagy Boldizsár

Nagy István

Nagy Károly dr.

Nagy Marianna

Németh András

Németh Zsófia

Neulaender Márta

Nyárádiné dr. Szabady Judit

Nyerges Katalin

Orosz Csaba

Ottó Mária

Pál Benedek

Pálné Kutasi Éva and

Banász Andrásné

Palotai Valéria

Pankotai Csaba

Pankotainé Lux Margit

Pavluska Valéria dr.

Pelly Richard

Petőcz Mária

Petrucz György

Pintér Zsuzsánna

Puhl Mária

Rácz Zsuzsanna

Rádai Péter

Ratkó Ilona

Rázga Bozsena

Reich Tamás,

Cash Back Hungary Kft.

Révai Vera

Révész Gábor

Rudas Jánosné

Rutkai Ágnes

Sáfár Judit

Sántha Veronika

Sárdi Katalin

Sikóné dr. Horváth Ágnes

Simon Judit

Sivó Imre

Soltész András

Solti bérletesek baráti köre

(Sáska Géza, Wollák Katalin and Laki Mihály)

Spiegel Marianna

Südi Kristóf

Szabó Márta

Szabó Piroska dr. and

Oláh Ruben dr.

Szabó Tamás

Szabóné Farkas Anikó and

Vértesné Bachler Ottília

Szántó Zsuzsa

Szegedi Ildikó

Szekeres Sándorné

Szentesi Péter dr.

Szilágyi Péter

Szőke Helga and András

Szőnyi Péterné dr.

Szőnyi Péter and Szőnyi Péterné

Szörcsei Zsuzsa

Sztrinkai László dr.

Teschler Judit

Török Judit

Ujvári Tibor

Ungár Péter

Varga Pál

Varga Veronika

Várkonyi Lili

Varsányi Gyula

Végh András

Végh Anna

Veress Mariann

Vidák Edit

Vidor Zsuzsanna

Volenszky Paula

Wéber László and Arányi Zsuzsanna dr.

Zelczernné Déri Erzsébet

Zlatniczky Tamás

Zsigóné Kührner Eszter and 55 anonymous patrons

Support Our common causes

Our community concerts and several youth programs are free of charge to ensure that even those who cannot make it to the concert halls can enjoy them. Our patrons’ donations are essential for our mission – thanks to them, we bring the magic of music to thousands of people each year. If supporting Hungarian culture and community initiatives is close to your heart, please donate to help the BFO’s operations! bfz.hu/en/support-us/donate-now/other/

Support the BFO by donating 1% of your tax. It is the mission of our musical education program to make listening to and playing music accessible to all young people. Donations received through 1% income tax contributions this year will go toward implementing our musical education programs. The Budapest Festival Orchestra Foundation’s tax number is 18005488-2-41.

Transcendental music: Leave a legacy! The Budapest Festival Orchestra is the orchestra of the future. By including our orchestra in your will, you can ensure the survival of classical music and the BFO for the next generations. With your responsible and generous help, we can improve our musical, educational and training programs and build the future together. If you have any questions, please contact our colleague, Zsuzsanna Deák, directly at tamogatoiklub@bfz.hu.

“Why did I include the BFO in my will? It’s simple: I have no official heir or family. I was wondering what should happen to what I leave behind. What has brought me so much joy in my old age and occasional loneliness? Classical music. It has helped me through hard times and always touched my soul. So eventually, the only thing that came into my mind was my favorite orchestra,” our testator wrote.

B F O

BFO Ball

Zene, tánc, önfeledt pillanatok lenyűgöző

környezetben. BFZ-bál: tartson velünk

Music, dancing, moments of joy in a stunning venue. BFO Ball: join us for the social event of the season!

Ön is az évad társasági eseményén!

Corporate partnership program

Corporate partnership program

Since more and more companies are discovering the values they share with the BFO, we are transforming our corporate partnership program into a virtual and real-world meeting place. Those joining may find a path to an old and a new culture of recreation, the everyday celebrations of concerts, the emotionally liberating power of music, and audiences united in rapt attention – and they have the opportunity to share this experience with their business partners. As responsible managers, our partners have the opportunity to obtain a behind-the-scenes look at a machine that is, and has been, capable of delivering world-class results week after week.

We hope to welcome you as one of our corporate partners: be a key part of the season and our international success! If your company aims at outstanding quality and constant renewal, and openness and social sensitivity are also crucial, then we share the same values. So why not share some common goals, too?

The common language of winemaking and music is the joy of creation and the pursuit of harmony. At Gere Winery, we believe that quality is rooted in respect for traditions and the ability to renew constantly. This attitude connects us with the Budapest Festival Orchestra, which we have been proud supporters of for five years. For us, the BFO represents world-class quality where virtuosity is aligned with deep emotions. We are delighted that, through our support for the arts and in line with our shared values, we can contribute to high-quality experiences and enriching Hungarian culture. Andrea Gere (Attila Gere Winery)

What do we offer our corporate partners? With our corporate partnership program, the BFO’s partners can establish new business relationships, utilize personally-tailored marketing tools to boost their brands, and share in the joy and catharsis offered by our concerts, including the opportunity to motivate their employees and clients.

Social responsibility Thanks to corporate donations, we bring the joy of music to thousands of people around the country and help introduce children to music. Our community and educational projects can be incorporated into companies’ social responsibility initiatives.

How to donate? We welcome donations in the form of financial contributions, products, or services to support our operations. For support provided on the basis of a donation agreement, the donor company could reduce its corporate tax base by up to 40 percent of the amount of the donation depending on the duration of the agreement.

Travel and music teach us the same thing: how to be present.

A concert and a journey will become memories when rhythm, attention, and emotions come together. Music leads to inner landscapes while travel leads to new places – still both create connections between people. We are extremely proud to support the Budapest Festival Orchestra as their art brings music to life and speaks to us all. The inspiring presence of the orchestra’s musicians and Iván Fischer creates a unique community. In the services offered by JOAN VIP TRAVEL, we represent the same attention and personalized approach so that our guest artists can really feel at home in Budapest.

József

Göcző and Andrea Göczőné Magyar (JOAN VIP TRAVEL)

Support the Budapest Festival Orchestra!

We welcome you as a corporate partner!

The financial stability of the BFO is guaranteed by the Hungarian Government and the Municipality of Budapest

Principal partners

Strategic partners

Supporting partners

Event partners

Media partners

Season pass and ticket information

Tickets, passes

Dynamic pricing

Tickets for orchestral concerts can be purchased at fixed prices until May 31, 2026. Beginning June 1, prices may change due to dynamic pricing. You can learn about our fixed prices on the bfz.hu/en/ website by opening the ticket purchasing window of the concert selected, or by visiting our ticket office.

Dynamic pricing does not apply to chamber concerts, Midnight Music concerts, Cocoa Concerts, or the children’s opera The Gruffalo; tickets for these performances can be purchased at fixed prices.

Dynamic pricing will not affect the price of season passes. Discounts on flexible season passes will be calculated based on fixed ticket prices until May 31, 2026. Visit bfz.hu/en/ for more information on dynamic pricing.

Ticket prices

Concerts

Müpa Budapest

Concerts

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Midnight Music

Castle Garden Bazaar

Chamber Music

BFO Rehearsal Hall

4,400 – 54,600 HUF

4,400 – 19,440 HUF

4,500 HUF

5,000 HUF

Cococa concerts 5,000 HUF

and The Gruffalo

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Purchasing season passes and concert tickets

Visit bfo.hu or contact us by email at rendeles@bfz.hu to learn about the launch of season pass and single ticket sales. BFO Patrons have the option of purchasing tickets early.

Online ticket purchase

Season passes and tickets for the Budapest Festival Orchestra’s events may be purchased through our website bfo.hu by bank card or SZÉP card. There is no handling fee for online purchases.

When purchasing your season pass or ticket online, you will receive an e-season pass or e-ticket (in PDF format). E-season passes are fully valid electronic season passes that give you access to all the performances included in your season pass. E-tickets are fully valid electronic tickets.

If you would like to exchange your electronic pass for a paper pass, please inform us at rendeles@bfz.hu. You may also make the same request in person at the BFO ticket office by August 31, 2026.

All your tickets in one place!

Register on the bfo.hu website, log into your account before making a purchase, and manage your season passes or concert tickets there. If you were logged in when purchasing your season pass or tickets, you can view all your tickets in your account, so there is no need to search for or download email attachments.

Tickets, passes

Purchase at ticket offices

BFO ticket office 1036 Budapest, Nagyszombat u. 1.

In-person purchases and pick-up of orders: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Tue 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For current opening hours, please always check the Contact section of the bfo.hu website.

We accept cash, credit/debit card, SZÉP card and OTP Cafeteria Card.

Season passes and concert tickets can also be purchased through the nationwide network of Interticket offices and from the Budapest Festival Orchestra’s special vendors at:

– Rózsavölgyi Szalon Arts & Café

1052 Budapest, Szervita tér 5., phone +36 1 266 8337

– Müpa Budapest ticket office

1095 Budapest, Komor Marcell utca 1., phone +36 1 555 3300

– Liszt Academy ticket office

1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 8., phone +36 1 321 0690

Extra options

Flexible season pass When single tickets go on sale, you may also buy flexible season passes, allowing you to choose the 5 to 10 symphonic performances you want to attend. Included is a discount of 15–20% compared to the price of single tickets. The discount is applied when purchasing your tickets in the same transaction. The option to exchange tickets within a season pass does not apply to tickets purchased in a flexible season pass.

Guests in wheelchairs Subject to the availability of seats, visitors in wheelchairs may request a free ticket by sending an email to rendeles@bfz.hu. Companions are entitled to a 50% discount.

Payment by installments You may purchase your season passes in two installments; in this case, a handling fee of 5% of the total sales price will be charged. You will receive your season pass upon payment of the second installment. The deadline for making the payment is August 31, 2026. Payment by installments may only be requested in person at the BFO’s office.

Fricsay family season pass Purchase a Fricsay season pass and children will receive 50% off. The discount is available on season pass purchases for one adult and at least one child. To receive the discount, please visit the BFO’s office and present the child(ren)’s ID card(s).

Gift card Our orchestra offers gift cards in values of HUF 5,000, 10,000, 15,000 and 20,000, which make a perfect present for any occasion. Gift cards may be used to purchase Budapest Festival Orchestra season passes and tickets for any concert, up to the value indicated on the card, and remain valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. The gift cards purchased online or at our ticket office may be used for purchases online or in person at the BFO ticket office. The cards may only be paid for in cash or by bank card; however, if the price of the season pass or ticket selected exceeds the value available on the gift card upon redeeming it, the difference may be settled in cash, by bank card or by SZÉP card as well.

concerts & bonus concert 7 Season pass Doráti

2026

September 11

Friday 7:00 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and The Magic Flute

October 5

Monday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the BFO

November 13

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest Concert for Nature

2027

January 14

Thursday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Marin Alsop and Shostakovich’s Fifth

February 15

Monday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Mahler’s Titan

March 8

Monday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Robin Ticciati and A Hero’s Life

May 15

Saturday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Nicolas Altstaedt

Performances at Müpa Budapest.

bonus concert: a chamber concert of your choice in the BFO Rehearsal Hall

Price

I. category: 136,500 HUF

II. category: 97,500 HUF

III. category: 88,000 HUF

IV category: 63,000 HUF

V. category: 49,500 HUF

VI. category: 33,000 HUF

concerts & bonus concert 7 Season pass Solti

2026

September 9

Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and The Magic Flute

October 6

Tuesday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the BFO

November 16

Monday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest Concert for Nature

2027

January 13

Wednesday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Marin Alsop and Shostakovich’s Fifth

February 16

Tuesday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Mahler’s Titan

March 9

Tuesday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Robin Ticciati and A Hero’s Life

May 14

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Nicolas Altstaedt

Performances at Müpa Budapest.

bonus concert: a chamber concert of your choice in the BFO Rehearsal Hall

Price

I. category: 136,500 HUF

II. category: 97,500 HUF

III. category: 88,000 HUF

IV. category: 63,000 HUF

V. category: 49,500 HUF

VI. category: 33,000 HUF

6 Season pass Reiner

2026

September 13

Sunday 7:00 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and The Magic Flute

October 4

Sunday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the BFO

November 14

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest Concert for Nature

concerts & bonus concert

2027

January 16

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Marin Alsop and Shostakovich’s Fifth

February 14

Sunday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Mahler’s Titan

March 6

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Robin Ticciati and A Hero’s Life

Performances at Müpa Budapest.

bonus concert: a chamber concert of your choice in the BFO Rehearsal Hall

Price

I. category: 119,000 HUF

II. category: 85,500 HUF

III. category: 77,000 HUF

IV. category: 55,000 HUF

V. category: 43,500 HUF

VI. category: 29,000 HUF

4 Storytime with Iván

2026

November 14

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Concert for Nature

concerts

2027

February 14

Sunday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Mahler’s Titan

April 17

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Beethoven’s Ninth

May 16

Sunday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Nicolas Altstaedt

Matinée performances at Müpa Budapest.

Price

I. category: 94,000 HUF

II. category: 65,600 HUF

III. category: 60,000 HUF

IV. category: 42,000 HUF

V. category: 33,600 HUF

VI. category: 20,400 HUF

concerts 7 Season pass Ormándy

2026

November 6

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall Concertino

2027

January 23

Saturday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall Young Violinists with Gábor Takács-Nagy

February 5

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Jonathan Cohen and the BFO's Baroque Ensemble

March 19

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall Young Violinists with Gábor Takács-Nagy

April 23

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Haydn–Mozart with Gérard Korsten

May 7

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Chouchane Siranossian and the BFO's Baroque Ensemble

June 11

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall Concertino

Includes all performances at the Liszt Academy.

Price

I. category: 85,000 HUF

II. category: 64,000 HUF

III. category: 55,000 HUF

IV. category: 38,000 HUF

V category: 31,000 HUF

concerts 7 Season pass Fricsay

2026

November 7

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall Concertino

2027

January 24

Sunday 3:30 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Young Violinists with Gábor Takács-Nagy

February 6

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Jonathan Cohen and the BFO's Baroque Ensemble

March 20

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall Young Violinists with Gábor Takács-Nagy

April 25

Sunday 3:30 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Haydn–Mozart with Gérard Korsten

May 8

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Chouchane Siranossian and the BFO's Baroque Ensemble

June 12

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall Concertino

Includes all matinée performances at the Liszt Academy.

Price

I. category: 85,000 HUF

II. category: 64,000 HUF

III. category: 55,000 HUF

IV. category: 38,000 HUF

V. category: 31,000 HUF

concerts & bonus concert 6 Season pass Kertész

2026

October 6

Tuesday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the BFO

November 6

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Concertino

2027

January 13

Wednesday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Marin Alsop and Shostakovich’s Fifth

March 18

Thursday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall Young Violinists with Gábor Takács-Nagy

April 24

Saturday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Haydn–Mozart with Gérard Korsten

May 14

Friday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Nicolas Altstaedt

Performances at Müpa Budapest and the Liszt Academy.

bonus concert: a chamber concert of your choice in the BFO Rehearsal Hall

Price

I. category: 93,000 HUF

II. category: 68,000 HUF

III. category: 61,000 HUF

IV. category: 44,000 HUF

V. category: 35,500 HUF

concerts 5 Season pass

Széll

2027

January 25

Monday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Young Violinists with Gábor Takács-Nagy

February 15

Monday 7:45 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Mahler’s Titan

March 6

Saturday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Robin Ticciati and A Hero’s Life

April 24

Saturday 7:45 p.m.

Liszt Academy, Grand Hall

Haydn–Mozart with Gérard Korsten

May 16

Sunday 3:30 p.m.

Müpa Budapest

Fischer and Nicolas Altstaedt

Performances at Müpa Budapest and the Liszt Academy.

Price

I. category: 80,000 HUF

II. category: 57,000 HUF

III. category: 51,000 HUF

IV. category: 36,000 HUF

V. category: 28,500 HUF

5 Cocoa season pass

2026

September 19

Saturday 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

November 28

Saturday 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

December 12

Saturday 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

concerts

2027

January 30

Saturday 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

April 18

Sunday 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

Price

25,000 HUF

Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók

National Concert Hall (BBNH)

Side balcony

Franz Liszt Academy of Music, Grand Hall

Choir seats

I.category

II.category

III.category

IV.category

V.category

VI.category

Reserved seats

Seats for persons with disabilities

Stage

Ground floor

ÉLMÉNY! Minden tekintetben.

Stratégiai partnereink:

Concert venues

Müpa Budapest

1095 Budapest, Komor Marcell u. 1.

Tram 1 – Közvágóhíd; 2, 24 – Müpa – Nemzeti Színház

Bus 54, 55, 223E, 224 – Müpa – Nemzeti Színház

Suburban railway H7 – Müpa – Nemzeti Színház

Parking Concert visitors may park for free in the outdoor parking lot and the underground parking garage.

Franz Liszt Academy of Music

1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 8. Tram 4, 6 – Király utca

Trolley 70, 78 – Király utca Bus 105, 210 – Oktogon Metro M1 – Oktogon

Parking is free in nearby streets on non-business days.

Budapest Congress Center

1123 Budapest, Jagelló út 1–3. Tram 17, 61 – BAH-csomópont; 59 – Apor Vilmos tér Bus 8E, 139, 212 – BAH-csomópont; 110, 112 – BAH-csomópont or Sirály utca; 102, 105 – Apor Vilmos tér

Parking Concert visitors may park in the outdoor parking lot outside the Congress Center and Hotel Novotel.

BFO Rehearsal Hall

1034 Budapest, Selmeci utca 14–16. Tram 17, 19, 41 – Selmeci utca Bus 9, 29, 111 – Tímár utca

Parking is free in nearby streets on non-business days.

Castle Garden Bazaar

1013 Budapest, Ybl Miklós tér 2–6. Tram 19, 41 – Várkert Bazár; 56, 56A – Döbrentei tér

Bus 5 – Szarvas tér/Döbrentei tér; 8E, 110, 112 – Döbrentei tér; 16, 105, 210, 178 – Clark Ádám tér

Night Bus 916, 990 – Clark Ádám tér; 956 – Szarvas tér/Döbrentei tér; 907, 908, 973 – Döbrentei tér

Parking Concert visitors may park in the underground parking garage of the Castle Garden Bazaar.

BFO staff and boards

Budapest Festival Orchestra

Management

Music Director: Fischer Iván

Managing Director: Erdődy Orsolya

Personal Assistant to the Music Director: Zeibig Márton

Personal Assistant to the Managing Director: Magay Andrea

Production Management

Artistic planning: Martina Elmer*

Strategy and Media Advisor: Sonia Simmenauer*

Head of Operation: Zöld Krisztina

Operational Manager: Szani Szolongo

Chief Librarian: Gátay Tibor

Senior Tour Manager: Wolf Ivett

Junior tour manager: Czirják Ágnes

Senior Orchestra Personnel Manager and European Orhcesta Academy coordinator: Melisko Krisztina

Junior Orchestra Personnel Manager: Somogyi Roxána

Head of Stage Management: Zentai Róbert

Stage Coordinators: Kathi Sándor, Siba István, Sila József

Sponsoring and International Relations

International President: Martin Hoffmann*

Senior Advisor: Mark Volpe*

Head of Development: Deák Zsuzsanna

Development Coordinator: Riesz Eszter

Communications and Audience Relations

Head of Marketing and Audience Relations: Tiszolczi-Bertalan Anna

PR Manager: Tossenberger Adél

Marketing Manager: Szigeti Orsolya

Social Media Manager: Somogyi Roxána

Communications Adviser: Váradi Júlia*

Audience Relations Managers: Kedves Kinga, Zeller Anna

Finance and HR

Head of Finance: Szabó Attila

Legal and HR Manager: dr. Szeredás-Budán Bernadett

Accountants: Holbach Andrea, Töreky Beáta

Secretariat

Office Assistant: Aranyosné Boros Angyalka

Perpetual Staff Member: Maglódi Györgyné

*independent consultant

International Friends of the BFO

American Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra

International Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra –Germany e.V.

British Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra

Swiss Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra email: international@bfz.hu

BFO contacts

Office: 1036 Budapest, Nagyszombat u. 1. telephone: +36 1 489 4330 email: info@bfz.hu

Postal address: 1300 Budapest, Pf. 47

IBAN:

HU58 1091 8001 0000 0089 5916 0000

(UniCredit Bank Zrt.)

Website and ticket sales: bfo.hu

Published by the Budapest Festival Orchestra Foundation

Publisher: Erdődy Orsolya,

Managing Director of the BFO

Text: Mona Dániel

Editor: Szigeti Orsolya, Tossenberger Adél

Graphic Design: büro für mitteilungen

Close of editing:

March 13, 2026

Photo

2: Marco Borggreve

5: Dalma Szondy

6–7: Bálint Hirling

14: Chris Gonz

16: Hans van der Woerd

18: Ákos Stiller

21: Chris Singer

22: Attila Nagy

25: Adriane White

26: Botond Sepsi

28: Nicola Dal Maso

31: Attila Nagy

32: Benjamin Ealavoga

35: Maria Isabela

36: Marco Borggreve

38: Marco Borggreve

40: Nikolaj Lund

43: Marco Borggreve

44: Ákos Stiller

59: Attila Nagy

61: Bálint Hirling

79: Lázár Todoroff

84: Lili Chripkó

2026 27