From October 9 to 12, 2025, harp lovers will take over the Royal Palace of Gödöllő (Gödöllői Kastély) for the 27th International Harp Festival. This four-day celebration features superstar harpists and emerging talents performing in the lavish main hall, riding school, and Baroque Theater, offering a truly royal setting for harp music.
Spotlight on Young Talent
Opening night (Thursday, October 9, 7:00 p.m.) shines a spotlight on young talents Zsófia Bajcsay (Bajcsay Zsófia) and Bianka Szauer (Szauer Bianka). Their program includes Monika Stadler’s Preseli Skies, rare 17th-century works from the Chigi manuscripts of the Vatican Library, Dowland’s Lachrymae Pavan, Mortari’s Sonatina Prodigio, Renié’s Légende, Hersant’s Bamyan, two Japanese folk songs by Hosokawa, Maxwell’s Ebb Tide, and Andrès’ Parvis.
Unique Concert Evenings
Friday features harpist Álmos Tallós (Tallós Álmos) and soprano Luca Csörgeő performing everything from Bach’s Italian Concerto to Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, as well as Álmos’s own song cycle and harp sonata. On Saturday, festival director Andrea Vigh is joined by Csilla Gulyás for vibrant works by Handel, Hasselmans, Grandjany, and Salzedo.
Grand Finale with a French Star
French harpist Alexandra Bidi headlines the closing night. Audiences can expect surprises like Spohr’s Fantasy, Albéniz’s Asturias, Pancaroğlu’s From Ashes, Fauré’s Impromptu, Chopin’s Mazurka, works by Attahir and Salzedo, and themes from The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Les Parapluies de Cherbourg) and The Young Girls of Rochefort (Les Demoiselles de Rochefort).
All concerts begin at 7:00 p.m., and tickets are available online.
