Following the success of the previous edition of the George Enescu International Festival, the family and children’s concerts return to this year’s program with a new series of four themed performances, set to take place at the Majestic Hall of the Odeon Theatre in Bucharest.

This concert series, dedicated to young audiences, begins on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., and continues every Sunday morning until September 21. These events offer children and parents alike a chance to discover the magic of classical music through performances specially adapted for the youngest spectators.

Each concert is carefully curated with a strong educational and interactive focus, designed to spark children's curiosity about classical music and orchestral instruments. The selected repertoire introduces young listeners to the world of great composers through accessible and imaginative interpretations.

The stage direction is by Vlad Cristache, one of the most acclaimed theatre directors of the new generation, with scenography by Theodor Niculae, adding a layer of fantasy and visual cohesion to each performance.

• On August 31, the Sinfonietta Orchestra conducted by Mihnea Ignat will perform Benjamin Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34, and Enescu’s Story—a selection of works by Enescu chosen specifically for this concert by Cristian Măcelaru, the Festival’s Artistic Director.

• On September 7, the “Paul Constantinescu” Ploiești Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Christian Câșleanu, along with illustrator Grégoire Pont, will present Our Precious Planet—a concert featuring works by Messiaen, Rautavaara, Saariaho, Howard, Meredith, Adams, Britten, Ginastera, and Poulenc.

• On September 14, the Brașov Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by David Molard Soriano, with live illustrations by Grégoire Pont, will perform Poulenc’s The Story of Babar the Little Elephant and Ravel’s Mother Goose.

• The final concert in the series, on September 21, will feature the Preludiu Chamber Choir, conducted by Andrei Stănculescu, presenting a choral program themed around childhood games, with works by Hersant, Ravel, Păutza, Mihaela Vosganian, and other remarkable composers.

With this initiative, the George Enescu International Festival continues its mission of bringing classical music closer to younger generations, transforming the concert hall into a realm of storytelling, discovery, and emotion.

Tickets will be available starting Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., on the Odeon Theatre website (https://teatrul-odeon.ro) and at the theatre's box office.

The organizers reserve the right to modify the program. For updates, please visit the George Enescu International Festival website: www.festivalenescu.ro.

About the George Enescu International Festival

The George Enescu International Festival is one of the world’s most prestigious classical music events, held since 1958. The 27th edition, taking place between August 24 and September 21, 2025, marks the 70th anniversary of the death of the great Romanian composer and musician George Enescu. The theme for this edition is Anniversaries / Celebrations, featuring over 95 concerts and more than 4,000 world-renowned artists, highlighting both Enescu’s artistic legacy and his profound influence on global classical music.

The George Enescu International Festival is held under the High Patronage of the President of Romania.

Cultural project funded by the Romanian Government through the Ministry of Culture.
Organizer: ARTEXIM
Co-organizer: ArtProduction Foundation
Co-producers: Romanian Broadcasting Company, Romanian Television Company, Bucharest City Hall via ARCUB – Cultural Center of Bucharest
Main partners: Rompetrol – KMG International, BRD – Groupe Société Générale, JTI – Immersive Experience (innovation partner), Lexus (mobility partner)
Partners: Purcari, One United Properties, Mobexpert, Nazzuro Aqua, L'OR, Althaus, Liliana and Peter Ilica Foundation, Senia Music
Monitoring partner: mediaTRUST