The Festival Internacional de Música de Canarias has unveiled a preview of its 2026 edition, which will feature over 60 concerts across the archipelago between 8 January and 7 February. Among the highlights are performances by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra with Gustavo Dudamel, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra with Yuja Wang, and the Bamberg Symphony led by Jakub Hrůša with Sol Gabetta as soloist.
This 42nd edition marks the beginning of a transitional period for the festival. After eight years as director, Jorge Perdigón steps down from the role, although he remains involved as an advisor and member of the committee overseeing the search for a new artistic director. Perdigón programmed the 2026 edition and has also outlined plans for 2027.
Leading names and returning orchestras
According to the advance program announced by the regional government, this edition will bring together a mix of internationally prominent orchestras and soloists. Gustavo Dudamel’s appearance with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra is scheduled as part of the main subscription series, alongside Yuja Wang with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and Sol Gabetta with the Bamberg Symphony.
Other orchestras in the main lineup include the SWR Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart under François-Xavier Roth, and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic with conductor Kazuki Yamada and pianist Martin Helmchen. The RTVE Symphony Orchestra and Choir will open the festival with a tribute to Manuel de Falla, led by Christoph König and featuring pianist Iván Martín and soprano Raquel Lojendio.
Arkadi Volodos will return to the Canary Islands for a solo recital, and both local orchestras—the Tenerife Symphony and the Gran Canaria Philharmonic—will once again be part of the program. The latter will perform with flamenco singer Estrella Morente under Karel Mark Chichón, while the Tenerife Symphony will be joined by Russian violinist Vadim Repin and conductor Pablo González.
Expansion across the archipelago
Following the success of previous editions, the festival continues its effort to reach audiences beyond the capitals of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. The subscription system introduced in other islands last year will be repeated, and additional events will include chamber concerts and a separate “En Paralelo” program, which combines classical music with other genres. Full program details are expected in September.
Institutional transition and artistic legacy
The upcoming edition also coincides with a change in the festival’s leadership. Perdigón, a tenor trained in Germany, first took charge in 2018 and has overseen eight editions. During this time, the festival expanded its reach across the islands and attracted a growing number of international ensembles. He will continue to advise until a new artistic director is appointed through a public selection process.
Organizing a festival of this scale across eight islands presents logistical challenges—particularly the transport of musicians and instruments within a limited time frame. Despite these complexities, recent editions have shown steady growth. The 2025 festival featured 61 concerts in 20 venues, involving 1,090 musicians and drawing 44,777 spectators—an increase of 17% over the previous year. Nearly half of the concerts were sold out or near capacity, according to official figures.
Contemporary focus and audience development
In addition to its core programming, the festival has introduced new initiatives aimed at broadening its audience. The “Festival Contemporáneo,” launched in 2021, focuses on 20th- and 21st-century repertoire and has premiered over 30 new works in its first four editions. Attendance has grown steadily, with the 2024 edition doubling the number of spectators compared to its inaugural year.
As the Canary Islands Festival approaches its 2026 edition, it enters a new phase—one that will test its ability to maintain international momentum while navigating a change in artistic leadership. With major orchestras and artists already confirmed, the upcoming season will serve as a bridge between an ambitious recent past and an evolving future.
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