Athens, December 16, 2025 – The Megaron Athens Concert Hall has unveiled its extensive artistic program for the first quarter of 2026, promising a diverse array of high-caliber performances and events. The schedule, running from January through to the first days of April with the Spring Festival, features renowned international artists, Greek soloists, theatrical monologues, and educational activities for all ages.
January Highlights: Borodin Quartet, PIANO DAYS, and Festival Strings Lucerne
The year kicks off on January 19 with the celebrated Borodin Quartet, presenting a powerful program of 20th-century chamber music, including works by Shostakovich. Following this, the two-day PIANO DAYS event on January 24 and 25 will immerse audiences in the world of piano music. This special weekend includes performances by esteemed pianists such as Francesco Piemontesi and Lukas Sternath, the collective Piandaemonium, and Karolos Zouganelis. The program also features a mystery game for children, a knowledge quiz for adults, an animation film with live Chopin music, and a melodrama for narrator and piano.
On January 28, the chamber orchestra Festival Strings Lucerne will collaborate with violinist Augustin Hadelich, performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, Elgar’s Serenade, and Mozart’s Symphony No. 41. The month concludes with the Greek premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s musical ‘Candide’ on January 31, presented by the Camerata Orchestra of the Friends of Music under the direction of George Petrou. This dramatized concert version, with Greek lyrics, promises a vibrant mix of Broadway musical, opera, jazz, and contemporary 20th-century idioms.
Spring Festival: A Global Gathering of Talent
The Spring Festival, running from March 7 to April 3, will bring a constellation of international stars to Athens. The London Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Paavo Järvi and featuring pianist Alexandre Kantorow, will perform on March 7. The festival also includes the Grands Ballets de Genève with Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s ‘Ihsane,’ the Chamber Orchestra of Europe with pianist Kirill Gerstein, and Sir John Eliot Gardiner conducting the Constellation Choir and Orchestra in Bach’s cantatas and Easter Oratorio.
A special focus on Rachmaninoff will culminate in two concerts on March 31 and April 1, where pianist Denis Kozhukhin will perform all of Rachmaninoff’s piano concertos with the Athens State Orchestra.
Diverse Program for All Tastes
Beyond these major orchestral events, the Megaron’s program for early 2026 is rich with variety. The ‘Rachmaninoff Centered’ cycle features Greek pianists Alexandra Papastefanou and Alexia Mouza, exploring the Russian composer’s works alongside those of Schumann, Scriabin, and Prokofiev.
Theatrical Monologues include a performance of T.S. Eliot’s ‘The Waste Land’ by The Poem Factory, an interactive experience blending poetry with acting and music. National Theatre Live will present two acclaimed productions: ‘The Fifth Step’ by David Ireland on January 15, and Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ on February 19, both broadcast from London with Greek subtitles.
The ‘Bridges’ series offers unique musical experiences, from the jazz, classical, and world music fusion of ‘Vanishing Point’ by the Climate Change collective on January 29, to a vibrant Brazilian carnival celebration with Quilombo on February 13. Manolis Mitsias will perform a tribute to Nikos Gatsos on February 5, and Maria Farantouri and Tasis Christoyannopoulos will present ‘Voices and Memories’ on March 13, featuring beloved Greek songs.
Maria Iliou’s documentary series, tracing the evolution of Athens from an Ottoman town to a modern capital, will be screened on February 27, February 28, and March 1, offering a unique historical perspective through rare archival material and period music.
Educational Programs and Accessibility Initiatives
The Megaron continues its commitment to education with a comprehensive program for children and adults. This includes workshops, performances, and open rehearsals designed to foster imagination and a deeper connection to the arts. The popular ‘Kara-cartoon’ shadow puppet show by Ilias Karellas will continue throughout January and February, offering a creative blend of tradition and technology for young audiences.
In collaboration with Alpha Bank and liminal, the Megaron actively promotes accessibility, ensuring that culture remains open to everyone, regardless of disability, age, or social background. These initiatives aim to create a more inclusive and welcoming cultural landscape for all citizens.
Source: https://www.megaron.gr/oi-ekdiloseis-tou-megarou-mousikis-athinon-ianouarios-martios-2026/
