The Berlin Philharmonic, one of the best orchestras in the world, will open the 2019 edition of Romania’s George Enescu Festival with two concerts scheduled for August 31 and August 1.

The orchestra played at the Romanian festival last year. It was their first performance in Romania, and the Romanian public’s warm welcome made them want to return to the country at the 2019 edition of the festival.

The orchestra’s conductor will be Kirill Petrenko, who replaces Sir Simon Rattle.

According to festival representatives, the Berlin Philharmonic is not only one of the best orchestras in the world but also a very demanding one. About 11 tons of equipment have been transported to Bucharest for the 2015 edition of George Enescu Festival, a record weight in the history of the event.

The festival will have its next edition in 2017, between September 2 and September 24. The grand opening will take place on September 2 with Oedipus, Romanian George Enescu’s most appreciated opera, played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang and tenor Jonas Kaufmann will also perform for the first time in Romania next year, during the George Enescu Festival. Find the entire program of the event here.

Zubin Mehta will be honorary chairman of the 2017 George Enescu Festival

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com