A yearlong feast of live music, theater, and good humor is rolling into the János Richter Concert and Conference Hall in Győr. Home to the Győr Philharmonic Orchestra (Győri Filharmonikus Zenekar) and named after the city’s world-famous conductor János Richter, the venue blends tradition and modern comfort. On the second floor, a sleek, soundproof, light-filled, 1,076 sq ft rehearsal room with air-conditioning supports the city’s cultural pulse at 16 Aradi Vértanúk Road (Aradi vértanúk útja 16).
January Joy: Carnival and Operetta
The season kicks off with the Carnival Concert (Farsangi Koncert) on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 19:00. Expect laughter, sparkle, and beloved highlights from Franz Lehár (Ferenc Lehár), Emmerich Kálmán (Imre Kálmán), and Paul Ábrahám (Pál Ábrahám). Star soprano Mónika Fischl leads the night with guests Szilvi Szendy, Attila Dolhai, and Károly Peller, conducted by István Silló.
Two days later, Saturday, January 31 at 18:00, a fresh operetta arrives: Imre Kálmán – Zsolt Meskó’s “Te rongyos élet… avagy az ‘Én Kálmán Imrém!’” — a two-act national premiere from Mosoly Muzsika Produkció. It’s a backstage romp about the Operetta King himself, Imre Kálmán: a shy genius, a fearless actress, and an all-seeing dresser collide in a dazzling, humorous tribute where Kálmán hits shine anew. Cast includes Ibolya Nagy (Déryné Award) as the Dresser; Attila Csengeri (eMeRTon Award) or Csaba Jegercsik (Farkas–Ratkó Award) as the Secretary; and Dorka Pacskó, Elvira Haraszti, or Csenge Bégány as Liczi. Directed by László Hajdú. Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes with one intermission. Motto: The past of Hungarian operetta is our heritage; its future is our responsibility.
February: Hackett, Apostol, and British Classics
On Saturday, February 7 at 19:30, Djabe & Steve Hackett – Freya Winter Shows lands in Győr after a triumphant 2025 summer. The set mixes new material with Genesis touchstones and classics from Hackett and Djabe. Their 14th joint album, Freya – Arctic Jam, recorded in Bodø, Norway—about 62 miles north of the Arctic Circle—was shaped from northern jam sessions into a full studio album by Tamás Barabás and has drawn enthusiastic international praise. Line-up: Steve Hackett (guitar, vocals, harmonica), Tamás Barabás (bass), Attila Égerházi (guitar, percussion), Áron Koós-Hutás (trumpet, flugelhorn), Péter Kaszás (vocals, drums), Zoltán Bubenyák (piano, keys), and Zoltán Zana (sax).
Sunday, February 8 at 19:00 brings Apostol – “Nem tudunk élni nélkületek!” (We Can’t Live Without You!), an evening of evergreen Hungarian pop where every song is a shared memory. For over five decades, Apostol has delivered hits like “Nem tudok élni nélküled,” “Okosabban kéne élni,” and “Eladó, kiadó most a szívem.” Expect stories of first loves, dances, bright summers—and a band that openly says the audience keeps them on stage.
Friday, February 13 at 19:00, the Győr Philharmonic Orchestra presents Made in England under Domonkos Héja: Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 in D major, Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, Britten’s Matinées musicales and Simple Symphony, and Elgar’s The Crown of India: March of the Mogul Emperors.
Symphonic Powerhouses
Friday, February 20 at 19:00, the orchestra returns for #RajnaMartin with Bartók’s Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7 in D minor, conducted by Martin Rajna.
A Pál Szécsi (Szécsi Pál) Memorial Concert arrives Saturday, February 21 at 17:00 and Sunday, February 22 at 19:00. The text frames a Poirot-style twist: the retired Belgian detective moves to the quiet English village of King’s Abbott—until two inexplicable deaths shatter the calm. Expect nostalgia, intrigue, and a salute to a legendary Hungarian singer.
Friday, February 27 at 19:00, Scheherazade brings orchestral color led by Michael Maciaszczyk, with percussionist Elman Mecid in Kevin Puts’s Marimba Concerto, alongside R. Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier Suite and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade.
Mahler’s Glow, Bruckner’s Vastness
Friday, March 6 at 19:00, Mahler 4 pairs Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor with Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 in G major. Soloists: pianist Gábor Farkas and soprano Rita Veronika Sipos. Conducted by Zsolt Hamar.
Thursday, March 12 at 19:00, Sieghart 75 honors maestro Martin Sieghart: Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor with Eloïse Bella Kohn, followed by Bruckner’s monumental Symphony No. 7 in E major.
Jazz Tuesdays and Baroque Treasures
Tuesday, March 24 at 19:00: JazzKEDD /3 – Berci Temesi and Friends (Temesi Berci és barátai) brings groove and camaraderie to the series.
Friday, March 27 at 19:00, Baroque Treasures (Barokk kincsek) unfolds with the orchestra under Tibor Bogányi and pianist Dejan Lazić: Lully’s Marche pour la Cérémonie des Turcs; J. S. Bach’s Keyboard Concerto in D minor, BWV 1052; Buxtehude’s Passacaglia in C minor (arr. Zoltán Bánfalvi); Durante’s Miserere in C minor; C. P. E. Bach’s Symphony in D major, H. 663 (Wq. 183/1); and highlights from Handel’s Water Music.
Saturday, March 28 at 17:18, Baroque Mosaic (Barokk mozaik) condenses Lully, Buxtehude, Durante, C. P. E. Bach, and Handel under Tibor Bogányi into a richly textured mosaic.
April Laughs, Legends, and Paris
Sunday, April 12 at 15:00 and Thursday, June 11 at 19:00, Michael Cooney’s Who Lives Here?! (Nicsak, ki lakik itt?!)—madness in two parts—returns in a 2025 revival by Bánfalvy Stúdió. Adapted, translated, and reworked by Albert Benedek with Oliver W. Horvath and HCS, directed by Csaba Horváth. Premise: a London-based Hungarian, Róbert Szűcs, has had enough of free money—unemployment, pension, sick pay, child benefit, disability, even free cow’s milk. Add a nursing bra side hustle and marital jealousy, and he’d rather ditch the benefits than his freedom or wife. But breaking up with benefits isn’t simple. Cast includes Iza Varga/Zsófia Kondákor, Ferenc Hujber, Imre Harmath/Ádám Gombás, Ádám Gombás/Zoli Kiss, Ganxsta Zolee, Anna Bugár/Zsófia Kondákor, Péter Sándor/Levente Hajdu, István Imre/Dávid Csányi, Orsolya György, and Timi Stelczer. Producers: HCS and Oliver W. Horvath.
Monday, April 13 at 19:00, Katica Illényi (Illényi Katica) joins the Győr Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor István Silló for a special concert highlighting her charm, vocals, violin, dance, and the theremin—the show’s secret spice.
Thursday, April 23 at 19:00, A Date in Paris, or Happy Easter! (Randevú Párizsban, avagy Kellemes Húsvéti Ünnepeket!)—a two-part comedy—tips its hat to the smash 1984 French film starring Sophie Marceau and Jean-Paul Belmondo. Set today in an upscale Paris district, industrial magnate Stéphane Margelle lives with his beautiful wife Sophie and plays the Casanova. He drops Sophie at the airport, meets an 18-year-old, and whisks her to dinner, a nightclub, and finally home—just as his wife’s flight is canceled and she walks back through the door. Chaos ensues.
