Syros International Music Festival 2025: A Classical Celebration by the Aegean

Syros International Music Festival 2025 – Culture, Concerts, and Aegean Charm

In the heart of the Cyclades, where neoclassical façades meet turquoise waters, Syros prepares to host its third annual International Music Festival from October 21–25, 2025. This isn’t just another island event—it’s a week-long immersion into world-class chamber music set against one of the most enchanting backdrops in Greece.

From Vision to Island Tradition

Founded in 2023 by violinists Asi Matathias and Tosca Opdam, the festival quickly made its mark with intimate performances inside the jewel-box Apollon Theater—a 19th-century miniature of Milan’s La Scala. Over the years, the program has expanded from violin-centered evenings to a diverse mix of piano, strings, and voice, drawing acclaimed artists from across the globe.

Now under the artistic direction of pianist Jonas Vitaud, the 2025 edition continues the mission: blend timeless repertoire with fresh perspectives, all while connecting audiences and artists in a uniquely personal way.

What Makes It Special

Unlike larger classical events, this festival thrives on proximity. With just 250 seats, the Apollon Theater brings you so close to the musicians you can see the rosin dust in the spotlight. The programming is thematic—each night a distinct musical journey—and the island’s intimate setting means you might share a morning coffee with the same artist you applauded the night before.

The 2025 Musical Journey

Each of the five nights is like opening a new chapter in a beloved book:

Oct 21 – Grand Opening – Pianists Jonas Vitaud and Adam Laloum ignite the festival with Mozart’s brilliance, Brahms’s grandeur, and Rachmaninoff’s passion, showcasing two-piano fireworks in the jewel-like intimacy of the Apollon Theater.

Oct 22 – Grand Duo – Violinist Mi-Sa Yang and pianist Adam Laloum explore Bach’s elegance, Schumann’s fire, and Franck’s sweeping lyricism, crafting an evening of intimate dialogue between strings and keys in perfect balance.

Oct 23 – Dvořák! – Warm Bohemian melodies fill the theater as strings, piano, and soprano Katherina Sandmeier bring Dvořák’s folk-inspired joy and lyrical depth to life in vibrant, heartfelt ensemble performances.

Oct 24 – Ancient Greece, Dreamed Greece – Flutist Sharon Bezaly leads a cross-cultural journey, pairing French impressionist gems with modern Greek works, weaving ancient myth, folk melodies, and contemporary textures into a captivating musical tapestry.

Oct 25 – Grand Gala – All festival artists unite for a celebratory finale of showpieces, collaborations, and surprise encores, ending the week in joyful camaraderie and unforgettable musical sparkle under the theater’s chandeliers.

Meet the Musicians

This isn’t just a lineup—it’s a gathering of musical storytellers:

• Jonas Vitaud – French pianist and Artistic Director, blending lyrical sensitivity with bold programming. Known for chamber collaborations and championing contemporary works, he brings refined artistry and fresh vision to Syros’s autumn stage.
• Adam Laloum – Prize-winning French pianist with a poetic, introspective touch. Renowned for Schumann and Brahms interpretations, his playing combines technical finesse with deep emotional insight, captivating audiences in intimate chamber settings.
• Sharon Bezaly – Israeli-Swedish flutist hailed as “God’s gift to the flute.” A fearless performer, she blends flawless technique with adventurous spirit, premiering new works and enchanting audiences worldwide with her luminous tone.
• Mi-Sa Yang – Korean-born, Japan-raised violinist celebrated for elegant tone and emotional range. A Menuhin Competition winner, she thrives in both solo recitals and collaborative ensembles, bringing warmth and precision to the festival stage.
• Katherina Sandmeier – Rising Greek-German soprano with a lyric-dramatic voice and magnetic stage presence. Winner of the Maria Callas Prize, she moves effortlessly from opera arias to art songs, enchanting audiences with expressive nuance.
• Yan Levionnois – French cellist of rare versatility, merging classical mastery with innovative projects. Prizewinner at Queen Elisabeth and Rostropovich competitions, his rich tone and curiosity infuse every performance with depth and personality.
• Yuko Hara – Japanese violist with global influences, equally skilled in Baroque authenticity and contemporary experimentation. A chamber festival co-director, she brings warm sonority, stylistic range, and a collaborative spark to Syros’s ensembles.
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They’re not just visiting artists—they become part of the island for a week, sharing music, stories, and even a post-concert drink with festival-goers.

The Festival Beyond the Theater

This is not a “come, listen, leave” kind of event. Between concerts, you might find yourself:

• Open Rehearsals – Step inside the Apollon Theater as artists refine their craft. Hear phrases repeated, tempos debated, and music taking shape—a rare, intimate glimpse into the collaborative heart of performance.
• Geopaths Hike – Join Swiss geologist Martin Engi for a scenic island walk. Discover Syros’s ancient rock formations, panoramic views, and hidden trails while learning how geology shapes the Cycladic landscape.
• Ermoupolis Museums – Explore Syros’s industrial and maritime heritage in beautifully preserved spaces. Exhibits reveal the island’s 19th-century prosperity, shipbuilding history, and cultural treasures that continue to inspire its artistic life today.
• Cycladic Art Exhibits – Wander through curated galleries featuring local artists and ancient-inspired works. Experience the visual artistry of the Aegean, complementing the festival’s musical dialogue with Greece’s timeless creative spirit.
• Greek Cooking Classes – Learn traditional recipes from a local chef, from savory Cycladic dishes to Syros’s famous loukoumi sweets. A delicious way to taste the island’s heritage between concerts.

Tickets & Passes

You don’t need a fortune to join in:

• Single concerts start at €8 (balcony) or €15 (main floor).
• The 5-night pass is €75, with perks like priority seating and invitations to after-concert events.

Book online at TicketServices.gr or drop by the Apollon box office. Just remember—this is an intimate venue. When seats are gone, they’re gone.

Staying on Syros

The joy of the festival is that it all happens in Ermoupolis, so you can walk from your hotel to the theater under the glow of streetlamps.

Some festival-friendly stays:

• Argini Hotel – A lovingly restored neoclassical mansion turned five-star retreat. Luxurious rooms, rooftop Aegean views, a spa, and elegant interiors make it perfect for post-concert relaxation steps from Apollon Theater.
• Castro Hotel – This 1857-built mansion exudes grandeur with frescoed ceilings and marble floors. Fully renovated, it blends historical charm and modern comfort just a short stroll from Syros’s cultural heart.
• Hermes Hotel – A waterfront classic offering panoramic sea views and vintage character. Comfortable rooms, a welcoming atmosphere, and central location make it ideal for festival-goers seeking convenience and charm.
• Hotel Ploes – Seafront boutique hotel set in a 19th-century mansion. Individually styled rooms, fine dining, and direct sea access create a romantic base for an indulgent festival week.
• Syrou Melathron – Elegant hotel with high ceilings, antique furnishings, and sweeping harbor views. Its neoclassical elegance meets modern service, offering a restful stay within easy reach of the Apollon Theater.

You’ll also find boutique guesthouses tucked into marble-paved lanes, often with terraces where you can sip coffee and hear the sea.

Making the Most of Your Trip

• Arrive by ferry from Athens’s Piraeus port (3–4 hrs) or catch a short domestic flight.
• Spend your mornings in Ano Syros, a hilltop maze of bougainvillea and pastel doors.
• Taste louza cured pork, San Michali cheese, and Syros’s rose-flavored loukoumi.
• Don’t rush—this is October in the Cyclades. The air is softer, the sunsets richer, the island yours to wander.

The Syros International Music Festival 2025 is more than a series of concerts—it’s a pause in time. It’s mornings with the Aegean glittering under your balcony, afternoons exploring sun-warmed streets, and evenings wrapped in music inside a 160-year-old theater.

And when you leave, you’ll carry more than a ticket stub—you’ll carry the sound of a violin echoing in marble walls, the scent of jasmine in the night air, and the feeling that, for one week, you lived in harmony with an island.