Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra Announces Free Concerts for April 17–18, 2026
The Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra is set to deliver two free performances this weekend, offering residents and visitors a chance to experience world-class symphonic music at no cost.
On Friday, April 17, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., the orchestra will take the stage at the Teatro Jorge Eliécer Gaitán for the first installment of its “Misticismo arcaico” series. The program features Sergei Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2, performed with Russian violinist Ilya Kaler as guest soloist, followed by Gustav Holst’s iconic suite The Planets. The performance will be conducted by French maestro Bruno Ferrandis, with accompaniment from the Youth Philharmonic Choir.
The following day, Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., the same program will be presented in the León de Greiff Auditorium at the National University of Colombia’s Bogotá campus. Both concerts are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, with no tickets required.
According to the city’s Secretary of Culture, Recreation and Sport, the events are part of Bogotá’s ongoing initiative to expand access to the arts through free cultural programming. The orchestra, founded in 1967 and recognized as Colombia’s premier symphonic ensemble, regularly performs across the city’s major venues, including the Fabio Lozano Auditorium and the Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo.
In 2008, the Bogotá Philharmonic earned a Latin Grammy for Best Instrumental Album, and in 2018, its recording of 50 Años Tocando Para Ti contributed to a Latin Grammy win for Best Engineered Album.
The “Misticismo arcaico” program blends lyrical depth with innovative orchestration, drawing inspiration from the mystical and celestial themes in Prokofiev’s concerto and Holst’s astrologically inspired suite. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, as seating is limited and available until capacity is reached.
For more information, visit the official event pages hosted by the city’s cultural offices.
