Organ & Music Festival Rhodes

The Church of St. Francis in Rhodes is hosting the 12th edition of the Organ & Music Festival Rhodes, taking place daily from October 1 to October 5, 2024.

The inaugural concert on Tuesday, October 1, is entrusted to the Hungarian organist Robert Kovács, who serves as the titular organist at the Church of St. Augustine in Vienna. He collaborates with esteemed ensembles such as the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, presenting works by composers including Liszt, J. S. Bach, and Boëllmann, among others.

On Wednesday, October 2, Robert Kovács will accompany the “Vocal Ensemble and Mandolin Orchestra of the City of Petaloudes”, under the direction of Flora Pelekanou, in a concert dedicated to sacred music.

Thursday, October 3, will feature a recital by the Italian organist Gianluca Cagnani, showcasing compositions from both German and Italian composers, including Bach, Mendelssohn, Marcello, and Puccini. Cagnani is a frequent performer at prestigious international festivals and holds a position in organ and improvisation at the Turin Conservatory.

On Friday, October 4, the festival will present a unique event reminiscent of early cinema: a film-concert featuring the 1918 Italian silent film “Frate Sole” (Brother Sun), which depicts the life of St. Francis. The film will be accompanied by live music from Gianluca Cagnani, who is known for his improvisational skills. The film’s captions have been translated into both Greek and English.

The festival will conclude on Saturday, October 5, with a sacred music concert performed by “Les Solistes de Beyrouth” (The Beirut Soloists). This Lebanese vocal ensemble, led by Fernando Afara, is noted for its diverse repertoire, which includes both choral works and solo performances such as arias and duets.

The organ of St. Francis Catholic Church in Rhodes was built in 1939 by the well known Italian organ manufacturer Pinchi, but its construction was not completed until after the start of the Second World War. This organ is still the biggest church organ in Greece.

All concerts begin at 8 PM and are free to attend..

The Festival is organized by the Roman Catholic Church of Rhodes and the Terra Sancta Organ Festival, with the collaboration of the Italian Cultural Institute in Athens, the Embassy of Hungary in Athens and “Pro Terra Sancta”.