VIVACE VILNIUS

100 Concerts

250 Years of USA Independence

“Vivace Vilnius 2026”: World-Class Musicians, Emerging Talents, and the Festival’s Historic 100th Concert

From August 2–7, the international summer music festival Vivace Vilnius will once again bring together an exceptional classical music community in Lithuania’s capital—from world-renowned performers to some of the most promising young talents from around the globe. Now in its fourteenth year, the festival has become an integral part of Vilnius’ cultural life, promoting Lithuania on the international music stage and creating a unique space for artistic dialogue between generations and cultures.

This year’s festival marks a special milestone: on August 2, the 100th Vivace Vilnius concert will take place at Vilnius Town Hall. This landmark event reflects the festival’s steady growth, international recognition, and long-standing contribution to the education and development of young musicians.

Festival founder and Artistic Director, violinist Eglė Jarkova, notes that over the past decade, Vivace Vilnius has evolved into far more than a concert series. It has become an international creative platform where world-class educators, performers, and the next generation of musicians come together.

Born in Šiauliai, Lithuania, Jarkova studied at the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts, later attended the United World College in Italy, and earned her higher musical education at the Boston Conservatory and Boston University. Today, she lives and works in Boston, performs actively throughout the United States and Europe, teaches violin, and mentors young musicians. Her vision of connecting Lithuanian and international musical communities became the foundation of Vivace Vilnius, a mission that has flourished for fourteen years.

As tradition dictates, the festival’s masterclasses will be held at the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts. This year, participants will have the opportunity to study with an outstanding faculty that includes pianists Mūza Rubackytė, Petras Geniušas, and Christina Wright-Ivanova; violinists Boris Brovtsyn and Irina Mureșanu; and internationally acclaimed bass-baritone Simon Robinson.

What distinguishes Vivace Vilnius is not only its concert program but also its intensive educational component. Individual lessons, open masterclasses, chamber music projects, and daily interaction with musicians from different countries provide invaluable professional experience for young artists. Many former participants have gone on to perform successfully on prestigious stages around the world.

The Historic 100th Concert Featuring Mūza Rubackytė

The festival’s opening highlight will take place on Sunday, August 2, at 5:00 PM in Vilnius Town Hall, celebrating the 100th concert in Vivace Vilnius history.

The occasion will be marked by a special recital from Mūza Rubackytė, one of Lithuania’s most distinguished pianists and an internationally celebrated virtuoso who performs in leading concert halls across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. For decades, she has been recognized as one of the foremost interpreters of Franz Liszt’s music. Her recordings have received the highest international critical acclaim, while her performances are renowned for their artistic power, elegance, and emotional depth.

Her appearance will symbolically crown the festival’s first one hundred concerts and become a memorable moment in Vivace Vilnius history.

The World of Schubert in the Hands of Two Masters

On Tuesday, August 4, at 7:00 PM, audiences will gather at St. Catherine’s Church for the concert “The Entire Universe of Schubert.”

The evening will feature two outstanding musicians: internationally acclaimed violinist Boris Brovtsyn and one of Lithuania’s most distinguished pianists, Petras Geniušas. The program will be devoted entirely to the music of Franz Schubert, revealing both its delicate lyricism and dramatic emotional power.

Brovtsyn has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras and conductors, while Geniušas is celebrated for his distinctive musical vision, improvisational freedom, and ability to transform every work into a unique artistic narrative. Their collaboration promises to be one of the festival’s most remarkable evenings.

Audience Favorites Return to Vilnius

On Wednesday, August 5, at 7:00 PM, St. Catherine’s Church will host the “Vivace Vilnius Art Song Gala.”

Following the tremendous success of last year’s performance, charismatic bass-baritone Simon Robinson and pianist Christina Wright-Ivanova return to the festival. Their previous appearance received enthusiastic acclaim from both audiences and critics, making their return one of this year’s most anticipated events.

Together they will present a refined program of vocal chamber music, blending poetry, musical sensitivity, and exceptional interpretive artistry.

Music Unites the World

On Thursday, August 6, at 5:00 PM, the Samuel Bak Museum will host the concert “Music Unites the World.”

This event will serve as a celebration of the festival’s young artists. Students and young musicians from Lithuania, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Romania, South Korea, and other countries will take the stage. The concert reflects the central mission of Vivace Vilnius: to create an international community where music becomes a universal language that transcends borders and cultural differences.

Closing Concert Celebrating Lithuanian–American Friendship

The festival will conclude on Friday, August 7, at 6:00 PM with the gala concert “Bridges Across the Atlantic: Lithuania and America.”

The program is dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States. This symbolic concert will highlight the cultural ties, longstanding collaboration, and shared values between Lithuania and the United States—values that the festival itself has fostered for many years.

Festival participants will perform throughout the evening, and music will serve as a bridge between two nations, two cultures, and multiple generations.

Festival Concert Schedule

Sunday, August 2 | 5:00 PM

Vilnius Town Hall
The 100th Vivace Vilnius Concert
Solo Recital by Mūza Rubackytė

Tuesday, August 4 | 7:00 PM

St. Catherine’s Church
“The Entire Universe of Schubert”
Boris Brovtsyn (violin) and Petras Geniušas (piano)

Wednesday, August 5 | 7:00 PM

St. Catherine’s Church
“Vivace Vilnius Art Song Gala”
Simon Robinson (bass-baritone) and Christina Wright-Ivanova (piano)

Thursday, August 6 | 5:00 PM

Samuel Bak Museum
“Music Unites the World”
Festival Students and Young Artists Concert

Friday, August 7 | 6:00 PM

Closing Concert

Vilnius Town Hall
“Bridges Across the Atlantic: Lithuania and America”
Dedicated to the 250th Anniversary of U.S. Independence

Over the past fourteen years, Vivace Vilnius has grown into one of Lithuania’s leading international classical music festivals. It is a place where world-class masters and the stars of tomorrow come together, transforming Vilnius each summer into a vibrant center of global musical exchange.