Greece · Music
Events in Corfu, Greece
Corfu has around 18 philharmonic bands and roughly 2,000 musicians - the most musical island in Greece. Its brass bands lead the famous Corfu Easter, and the first opera in Greece was staged here in 1733. Every concert on Mood.
Corfu
Corfu music scene
Corfu is Greece's most musical island, a legacy of its Venetian and British past rather than its beaches. The Philharmonic Society of Corfu, founded in 1840, is the oldest music school in Greece; the Mantzaros Philharmonic followed in 1890; and today the island supports around eighteen philharmonic bands with roughly 2,000 musicians, who play at religious processions throughout the year. Corfu was also a cradle of modern Greek classical music: the Ionian School formed here, and Nikolaos Halikiopoulos Mantzaros - born on the island - composed the music of the Greek national anthem.
The island's signature music event is Easter. On Good Friday the philharmonic bands accompany the Epitaph processions with funeral marches, most famously Albinoni's Adagio; on Holy Saturday morning, residents of the Old Town hurl large clay pots ('botides') from their balconies, and as the smashing ends the bands strike up joyful marches. Through the summer the Venetian Old Fortress becomes one of Greece's finest open-air concert venues. Every concert is on Mood.
Common questions
Why is Corfu called Greece's most musical island?
Corfu supports around 18 philharmonic bands and roughly 2,000 musicians, anchored by the Philharmonic Society of Corfu (1840), the oldest music school in Greece. The bands play at processions year-round. Upcoming concerts are on Mood.
What is Corfu Easter and its music?
On Good Friday, Corfu's philharmonic bands play funeral marches - famously Albinoni's Adagio - during the Epitaph processions; on Holy Saturday morning, the Old Town smashes clay 'botides' from balconies and the bands strike up joyful marches. The full schedule is on Mood.
Where are concerts held in Corfu?
Through the summer the Venetian Old Fortress is one of Greece's finest open-air concert venues, hosting classical, jazz and rock. The philharmonic societies also perform year-round at religious processions. Upcoming concerts with tickets are on Mood.
