The International Istanbul Baroque Music Festival

Leyla Pınar started in 1994 one of the most important music groups of Istanbul’s music scene, the Istanbul Baroque Ensemble. This was followed by “The International Istanbul Baroque Music Festival” in 1995. Since then, numerous musicians including both young performers and experienced well-known masters are now affiliated with the festival. For over 14 years the Festival has introduced its audiences to several Operas, Concertos, Passions, Cantatas, Stabat Maters and Sonatas as well as accompaniment of Molière-Lully’s plays.

The Festival locals are outspread to Dolmabahçe Palace, Yıldız Palace’s Theater, Hagia Eirene, Tophane-i Amire, St. Antoine Church, St. Esprit Church, Casa d’Italia, Palais de France, Austrian Culture Office, St. Michel Theatre, St. Pulcherie Theater and Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall.

Both through concerts and festival activities, musicians are introducing the baroque style with a repertory and instruments such as viola d’amore, viola da gamba, theorbo, lutht etc. that have remained absent from city conservatories and city operas. The Festival also has created an environment of knowledge sharing for young musicians through interactive sessions with experienced musicians and offers them the opportunity to put their musical artistry into practice.

Recently, both Istanbul Baroque Ensemble and the Festival hosted virtuosos as Paul Dombrecht (oboe), Robert Kohnen (harpsichord) and experienced performers such as Peter Icks (countertenor), Katsuko Komeda, Christina Ruf (soprano), Bengi Mayone, Ezgi Saydam (Mezzo soprano), Ayhan Baran, Burak Bilgili, Ulaş İnaç (Bass), Alain James, Danielle-Eliane Piana, Yuko Wataya (organ), Jonathan Talbott, Makato Akatsu, Stéphanie De Failly (violin), Samantha Montgomery (viola), Tormod Dalen, Vincent Malgrange (cello), Estelle Boisnard, Igor Lisov  (flute), Patrik Lange (actor, tenor) and Francis Dony (actor, director).