Celebrate 35 Years of Musical Excellence at the Hungarian Academy of Music
Experience a special anniversary concert that showcases three and a half decades of groundbreaking musical achievement in Budapest. The Purcell Choir and Orfeo Orchestra will present their joint 35th anniversary celebration on October 4, 2025, at the prestigious Hungarian Academy of Music’s Grand Hall.
A Musical Revolution Born in 1990
The story begins in spring 1990 when critics described them as “brilliant young talents.” György Vashegyi first introduced the Purcell Choir to the public, and within a year, he established his second ensemble, the Orfeo Orchestra. These were transformative years following Hungary’s political changes, and they brought equally revolutionary changes to the country’s musical landscape.
The young conductor’s vision introduced a new artistic approach focused on historically informed performance practices. This elevated the standard of classical music presentations in both concerts and recordings, while simultaneously educating both the artistic community and audiences eager for this fresh perspective.
Rediscovering the Masters of Viennese Baroque
This anniversary concert offers you the chance to discover composers who were celebrated masters of Viennese Baroque in their time but remain relatively unknown today. The program features sacred and secular works by Antonio Caldara, Francesco Bartolomeo Conti, Johann Joseph Fux, and Jan Dismas Zelenka – all highly regarded musicians who served at the imperial court during the first half of the 18th century under Emperor Charles III, father of Empress Maria Theresa.
These composers can be considered the musical ancestors of Haydn, and their works maintain remarkable freshness even today. Throughout their existence, the Purcell Choir and Orfeo Orchestra have introduced audiences to numerous such forgotten masters from France, Germany, and Italy.
Best deals of Budapest
What to Expect at the Te Deum Concert
The evening program includes carefully selected pieces that demonstrate the artistic range and cultural impact of both ensembles. You’ll hear Fux’s “Le nozze d’Aurora” Sinfonia and Te Deum, Conti’s “Naaman” Introduzione, Zelenka’s Simphonie à 8 concertanti and Te Deum, plus Caldara’s Te Deum and Crucifixus.
Concert Details
The performance takes place on October 4, 2025, from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM in the Grand Hall of the Hungarian Academy of Music. György Vashegyi will conduct both ensembles in this special celebration.
Ticket Information
Tickets are available at four price levels: 3,500 HUF, 4,900 HUF, 6,900 HUF, and 8,500 HUF. The concert is presented by Sysart and the Orfeo Music Foundation.
Why This Concert Matters for Visitors
This anniversary celebration represents more than just a musical performance – it’s an opportunity to witness living musical history and experience the continued vitality of Hungary’s classical music scene. After 35 years, György Vashegyi and his ensembles remain as youthful and dynamic as when they first revolutionized Budapest’s musical landscape in 1990.
For international visitors, this concert offers a unique glimpse into Hungary’s rich cultural heritage while discovering rarely performed masterpieces of European Baroque music in one of Budapest’s most beautiful concert venues.
Related attractions
Related news
Celebrate 150 Years of Musical Excellence at Budapest’s Liszt Academy
The Hungarian Academy of Music is celebrating a monumental milestone in 2025 – its 150th anniversary. Founded on November 14, 1875, by the...
Liszt and Erkel’s Dream: The Budapest Academy of Music
Since it was World Music Day a few days ago, let’s take this opportunity to learn about the center of musical education in Hungary, specifically...