As the oldest of the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts’ activities, and the flagship of Istanbul Festivals, the International Istanbul Music Festival first took place between June 15th and July 15th in 1973, under the name of Istanbul Festival. The festival has hosted classical music, classical bale, contemporary dance, traditional music, jazz, pop, cinema, theatre and the best and most creative examples of visual art in its long history. The festival’s program which included local and foreign artists and groups was further enriched by conferences and panels.
In its 35 years, the International Istanbul Music festival staged many respectable conductors such as Lorin Maazel, Adam Fischer, Vladimir Valek, José Collado, Gotthold Lessing, Riccardo Muti, and William Christie, and many important orchestras including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Bavarian Radio Symphony, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Mariinski Theatre Soloists.
Among the soloists whom the festival hosted in Istanbul are figures such as Elizabeth Scwarzkopf, KiriTe Kanawa, Kathleen Battle, Cecilia Bartoli, Montserrat Caballé, Itzhak Perlman, Mischa Maisky, Maxim Vengerov, Gidon Kremer and Joshua Bell.
The International Istanbul Music Festival, which celebrated its 37th year in 2009, has been a member of the European Association of Festivals since 1977. This grand event which enlivens June in Istanbul also provides the opportunity to experience classical music in several historical venues. It is worth visiting Istanbul even for just one such concert in Aya İrini.
http://www.iksv.org/muzik/english/muzik.asp?cid=105
