The 7th İdil Biret Festival Begins on September 14: All Concerts Are Free
The festival organized by the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality in honor of world-renowned pianist İdil Biret will take place in Datça, Bodrum, and Menteşe from September 14–17, 2026. Two orchestra concerts, two chamber music concerts, and a piano workshop will be open to the public free of charge.
This article was translated automatically from Turkish. Türkçe orijinal ›
The countdown has begun for the seventh edition of the festival named after world-renowned virtuoso İdil Biret—one of the 20th century’s most important pianists—organized by the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality. The 7th İdil Biret Festival will take place from September 14–17, 2026, in Datça, Bodrum, and Menteşe.
Organized under the leadership of the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Symphony Orchestra, the festival will feature two orchestral concerts, two chamber music concerts, and a piano workshop. In addition to seasoned virtuosos, young pianists making a name for themselves in the classical music world will also take the stage. All events are free of charge.
Opening on September 14 at the Datça Amphitheater
The festival’s opening concert will take place on Monday, September 14, at 8:00 p.m. at the Datça Amphitheater. Hande Dalkılıç, one of Turkey’s leading pianists, will perform Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2.
Eighteen-year-old Can Saraç, who has garnered attention for his concerts in Europe and was honored with the Discovery Award at the 2025 International Classical Music Awards (ICMA), will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. The artists will be accompanied by the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Deniz Oliveira Erdinç.
İdil Biret’s cadenza will be performed in Menteşe
The closing concert will take place on Thursday, September 17, at 8:00 p.m. at Menteşe City Square. Pianist Cem Babacan will perform Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2, accompanied by the symphony orchestra conducted by Münif Akalın.
Young pianist Tuna Bilgin will interpret Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-flat major, K. 482, featuring a cadenza composed by İdil Biret herself. Expected to be one of the festival’s most notable moments, this performance serves as Biret’s personal touch to the festival in Muğla.
Chamber music concerts and workshops
Irina Nikotina (violin), Julya Krepak (cello), and Aslı Tuncay (piano), will perform works by Mendelssohn, Mozart, and Piazzolla on September 15 at 8:00 p.m. on the event terrace of the Menteşe Türkan Saylan Contemporary Life Center.
The Hitit Trio—comprising flute virtuoso Halit Turgay, Rüzgar Turgay (violin), and Deniz Akalın (piano)—will take the stage at the Bodrum Nurol Cultural Center on September 16 at 9:00 p.m. The concert will feature works by Jacques Ibert, George Gershwin, Georges Bizet, and Halit Turgay.
Prof. Hande Dalkılıç will lead a workshop for piano students on September 16 at 11:00 a.m. in the Seminar Hall of the Menteşe Türkan Saylan Contemporary Life Center.
Festival Program
- September 14 – 8:00 p.m. · Datça Amphitheater: Opening Concert. Conductor: Deniz Oliveira Erdinç. Soloists: Hande Dalkılıç, Can Saraç
- September 15 – 8:00 p.m. · Menteşe Türkan Saylan Contemporary Life Center Event Terrace: Barcarol Trio Concert
- September 16 – 11:00 a.m. · Menteşe Türkan Saylan ÇYM Seminar Hall: Hande Dalkılıç Workshop
- September 16 – 9:00 p.m. · Bodrum Nurol Cultural Center: Hitit Trio Concert
- September 17 – 8:00 PM · Menteşe City Square: Closing Concert. Conductor: Münif Akalın. Soloists: Cem Babacan, Tuna Bilgin
Admission to the concerts is free; no ticket or invitation is required. For concerts held in open-air venues, it’s advisable to arrive early and bring a light jacket for the evening chill. For detailed information about the program, please contact the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality’s call center at 444 48 01.
