Performers prepare for EUROPAfest closing gala

Newsroom 25/05/2013 | 10:13

A phalanx of musicians from around the world will come together in just a few hours’ time for the EUROPAfest closing gala. The culmination of 17 days of jazz, blues, pop and classical events around Bucharest and beyond, the Majestic Hall of the Odeon Theatre will stage the gala concert from 7pm tonight, Saturday 25 May.

Performers, over 300 of whom from 52 countries have played in the festival, and the public will be eagerly awaiting the announcement of the winners of both the Bucharest International Jazz Competition, which featured 27 bands from 21 countries including the USA, Spain, Uruguay, Austria, France and Switzerland, and the Dinu Lipatti Jeunesses International Piano Competition, contested by a record 144 pianists. The winning artists will then play at the gala. The concert also sees the presentation of the Excellence Diploma from the Royal House

As well as the two competitions, EUROPAfest, now on its 20th run, has included the opening Europe Day concert; jazz, blues and pop concerts; jazz workshops; piano master-classes, Margareta Paslaru’s workshop, Caffe Festival, Piano Caffe and jam sessions.