70 years of musical heritage – Pécs at the center
The predecessor of Filharmonia Hungary, the National Philharmonia, was founded in 1952 to unify the country’s concert life. The Pécs branch was among the first to be established, in 1956. In 1998, the organization became a regional center, and since 2013, Pécs has served as the headquarters of Filharmonia Hungary, which operates nationwide.
The past years have created exceptional opportunities for the city: in 2010, the Kodály Centre opened, a concert hall referred to by foreign artists as the Stradivarius of concert venues, whose size and acoustics have enabled international world stars to come to Pécs. At the same time, the Zsolnay Quarter was renewed, offering further inspiring locations for cultural life.
The aim of Filharmonia in the jubilee season is, alongside the familiar and beloved festivals, to bring special productions to the city that further strengthen the Kodály Centre’s international presence, national appeal, and community-building role.
Jubilee program series – not intended as a complete list
- March 9, 2026 – The Pécs premiere of the Budapest Operetta Theatre’s production of The Csárdás Princess, staged in the region for the first time. Tickets sold out within a week – the run of full houses has officially begun.
- March 14 – BACH – ecstasy – Conti and Bach: Cantatas, featuring the world-renowned soprano Robin Johanssen and the Orfeo Orchestra, including one of Bach’s most virtuosic and demanding cantatas for a single soprano voice.
- March 29 – Bach: St John Passion – on Palm Sunday, one of the great, inexhaustible works of Holy Week music will be performed.
- April 20 – Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin – one of the most beloved works of Russian literature and musical culture, performed with the Hungarian National Philharmonic.
- May 23 – Night of the Organs – one of Filharmonia Hungary’s most popular program series takes place this year on six continents as well; in Pécs, the stronghold of Hungarian organ building, with programs of exceptional quality.
- May 26 – Performance by the world-famous Montserrat Boys’ Choir.
- June – Budapest Grand Circus – audiences in Pécs can also witness the rebirth of circus art, where the performers’ goal is not mere spectacle but artistic expression and an uplifting, high-quality experience.
- September – Piano recital by Olga Kern, one of today’s most acclaimed interpreters of Rachmaninov, naturally featuring works by Rachmaninov.
- September – The Liszt Ferenc International Piano Competition, with its great tradition and place on the European competition calendar, held at the Kodály Centre with international broadcast coverage.
- September – Bach: Mass in B minor – one of the most complex and monumental creations in music history will be heard.
- September – Plácido Domingo, “one of the Three Tenors,” appears live on the Pécs stage in a special adaptation of the Opera House’s production of La Traviata.
• October 27 – NFZ – The Sleeping Beauty, with the participation of Kate Aldrich and numerous international soloists, was presented as another opera premiere.
• October – Kottazűr – Filharmonia Hungary’s brand-new family program, where opera, film, and theater meet with film and music stars.
• November – One of the world’s most sought-after tenors, José Cura, returns to Pécs.
• December – The Orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia performs at the Kodály Centre, with world star Kirill Gerstein.
- December 12 – Mohács 500: Kereszturi Albert Zsolt – Penta Essentia, featuring the Saint Stephen Philharmonic Orchestra.
The programs continue in 2027 as well:
- January – German Brass
- January – Ball at the Kodály Centre
- January – Richard Strauss: Don Juan, along with works by Barber and Shostakovich, performed by the Budapest Festival Orchestra, conducted by Marin Alsop, with Nemanja Radulović as soloist
- February – Concert by Concerto Budapest featuring the living legend Elisabeth Leonskaja
- March – The Budapest Festival Orchestra returns, with Alexander Malofeev as soloist and Robin Ticciati conducting
- May – Con Spirito Festival of Sacred Music – Mozart evening
This season belongs to its audience: to the city, to those who arrive here, and to everyone who believes in the community-building power of music.
We look forward to welcoming everyone to Pécs, in the year of music!
