A landmark for live music and theater in Győr, the Richter János Concert and Conference Hall heads into 2026 with a busy calendar of concerts, operettas, plays, and feel-good evenings. Home to the Győr Philharmonic Orchestra (Győri Filharmonikus Zenekar) and named after the world-famous conductor born in Győr, János Richter, the venue sits at 9021 Győr, Aradi Vértanúk útja 16. On its second floor, a sleek, soundproof, light-filled rehearsal room spans roughly 1,076 square feet, complete with air conditioning—an eye-catching base for top-flight performances.
The Carnival Concert (Farsangi Koncert) kicks things off on Thursday, January 29 at 7:00 PM, a carnival-season romp rich in humor and joy. Expect sparkling selections from Franz Lehár, Emmerich Kálmán, and Paul Ábrahám. Star soprano Mónika Fischl leads the evening with guests Szilvi Szendy, Attila Dolhai, and Károly Peller, under the baton of István Silló.
Operetta With Bite: Te rongyos élet…
Saturday, January 31 at 6:00 PM marks the national premiere of Emmerich Kálmán – Zsolt Meskó’s Te rongyos élet… avagy az “Én Kálmán Imrém!”, a newly minted, two-act Hungarian operetta celebrating the “Operetta King,” Emmerich Kálmán (Kálmán Imre). It’s a whirlwind backstage comedy—zany, passionate, and fiercely funny—following a shy genius, a fearless actress, and a savvy dresser who sees everything. Kálmán’s life unspools onstage, human and vulnerable, yet gloriously timeless. Beloved Kálmán hits shine in a fresh light.
Cast highlights: Ibolya Nagy (Déryné Prize) as the dresser, Attila Csengeri (eMeRTon Prize) or Csaba Jegercsik (Farkas–Ratkó Prize) as the secretary, plus Dorka Pacskó, Elvira Haraszti, and Csenge Bégány, among others. Directed by László Hajdú. Produced by Mosoly Muzsika Produkció. Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes, one intermission. Motto: The past of Hungarian operetta is our heritage; its future, our responsibility.
Steve Hackett Returns With Djabe
Saturday, February 7 at 7:30 PM brings Djabe & Steve Hackett – Freya Winter Shows. After the hit Freya showcases in summer 2025, the project lands in Győr with a blend of new material plus classics from Genesis, Steve Hackett, and Djabe. Their 14th joint album, Freya – Arctic Jam, dropped in February 2025, recorded in Bodø, Norway, 62 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Using an improvisation-first approach familiar from the Sardinian sessions, Tamás Barabás edited and composed a full studio album from the Norwegian jams. Critics and fans hailed it as one of Djabe’s finest recordings. Lineup: 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), Zoltán Zana (sax).
Apostol: Songs That Won’t Let Go
Sunday, February 8 at 7:00 PM, the legendary Apostol band plays Nem tudunk élni nélkületek! It’s an evening of living memories, with ubiquitous hits like Nem tudok élni nélküled, Okosabban kéne élni, and Eladó, kiadó most a szívem. More than five decades in, Apostol still bridges generations with undimmed feeling and power. Expect sing-alongs, first loves revisited, and summer nights reborn; the band says it plainly: you’re the reason we’re still onstage.
Symphonic Highlights: Made in England
Friday, February 13 at 7:00 PM, the Győr Philharmonic Orchestra (Győri Filharmonikus Zenekar) serves a British-flavored program led by Domonkos Héja: Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 in D major, Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 and The Crown of India: March of the Mogul Emperors, plus Britten’s Matinées musicales, op. 24, and Simple Symphony, op. 4.
#RajnaMartin: Bartók and Dvořák
Friday, February 20 at 7:00 PM features Bartók’s Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, BB 114, and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7 in D minor, op. 70. Conducted by Martin Rajna.
Pál Szécsi Memorial Concert (Szécsi Pál Emlékkoncert)
Saturday, February 21 at 5:00 PM and Sunday, February 22 at 7:00 PM. The description cheekily riffs on Hercule Poirot retiring to King’s Abbot—soon confronted by two mysterious deaths—setting a mischievous, nostalgic tone for this tribute to the beloved Hungarian singer Pál Szécsi (Szécsi Pál).
Scheherazade and More
Friday, February 27 at 7:00 PM delivers a lush orchestral journey led by Michał Maciaszczyk: Richard Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier Suite, Kevin Puts’s Marimba Concerto with soloist Elman Mecid (percussion), and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, op. 35.
Mahler 4: Heart on Sleeve
Friday, March 6 at 7:00 PM, the orchestra pairs Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, op. 16, with Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 in G major. Guests: pianist Gábor Farkas and soprano Rita Veronika Sipos. Conductor: Zsolt Hamar.
Sieghart 75
Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 PM celebrates Martin Sieghart’s 75th with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466, and Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 in E major. Soloist: Eloïse Bella Kohn. Conductor: Martin Sieghart.
JazzKEDD /3
Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00 PM: Berci Temesi és barátai bring groove and friends for the third JazzKEDD outing.
Baroque Treasures
Friday, March 27 at 7:00 PM, Dejan Lazić joins for J. S. Bach’s Keyboard Concerto in D minor, BWV 1052, framed by Lully’s Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, 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, and Handel’s Water Music excerpts. Conducted by Tibor Bogányi.
Baroque Mosaic
Saturday, March 28 at 5:18 PM reprises the program minus the Bach concerto and soloist, under Tibor Bogányi, with Lully, Buxtehude, Durante, C. P. E. Bach, and Handel.
Farce Reloaded: Nicsak, ki lakik itt?!
Michael Cooney’s madcap comedy hits Sunday, April 12 at 3:00 PM and Thursday, June 11 at 7:00 PM. Translated and adapted by Albert Benedek; refreshed in 2025 by Benedek, Oliver W. Horvath, and HCS. Directed by Csaba Horváth; produced by HCS and Oliver W. Horvath; Bánfalvy Stúdió (2018). Plot: London-based Hungarian Róbert Szűcs has had it with free money—unemployment, pension, sick pay, family allowance, disability benefits, and yes, free cow’s milk—plus a bra scheme that riles his wife. He decides it’s safer to ditch the benefits than lose his freedom or his marriage. Twist: shedding benefits is harder than it looks. Cast includes Iza Varga/Zsófia Kondákor, Ferenc Hujber, Imre Harmath/Ádám Gombás, Zoli Kiss/Ádám Gombás, Ganxsta Zolee, Anna Bugár/Zsófia Kondákor, Péter Sándor/Levente Hajdu, István Imre/Dávid Csányi, Orsolya György, and Timi Stelczer.
Katica Illényi: One of a Kind (Illényi Katica)
Monday, April 13 at 7:00 PM, Katica Illényi (Illényi Katica) fronts the Győr Philharmonic Orchestra (Győri Filharmonikus Zenekar) with conductor István Silló. Expect charm, vocals, violin, dance—and the theremin, the show’s secret spice.
Rendezvous in Paris (Randevú Párizsban)
Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 PM, Randevú Párizsban, avagy Kellemes Húsvéti Ünnepeket! (Rendezvous in Paris, or Happy Easter!) unfolds as a two-part comedy set in a chic Paris neighborhood today. Based on Jean Poiret and Georges Lautner’s screenplay that became a 1984 French film classic starring Sophie Marceau and Jean-Paul Belmondo, the story follows industrialist Stéphane Margelle, a married Casanova. After dropping his wife at the airport during Easter break, he meets an 18-year-old and whisks her through dinner, nightlife, and finally home—just as his wife’s flight is canceled and she walks back in. Chaos, of course, ensues.
