George Enescu International Festival

Preview in the Enescu Concerts Series

A truly special event featuring pianist George Todică, journalist Peter Quantrill, the Festival's Production Coordinator, Graziella Duma

We are delighted to host a special event we organised in partnership with Artexim, showcasing the George Enescu Festival, Romania’s most prestigious classical music platform.

🎼💎 The George Enescu Festival is more than just Romania's most prestigious classical music festival; it is an international celebration where world-renowned orchestras engage in a vibrant dialogue with George Enescu’s music and audiences from around the globe. The festival's 27th edition, taking place in Bucharest between August 24 and September 21 this year, will be introduced to our audiences by the GEF Production Coordinator, Graziella Duma.

Graziella Duma is a professional musician with ten years of experience in the cultural management sector, specialising in the organisation and coordination of high-profile events. Eager to contribute beyond the concert stage, Graziella began working in cultural management in 2015, when she joined the team of the George Enescu International Festival. Her long-standing collaboration with the festival has offered her the opportunity to grow within an internationally respected institution. Since 2022, Graziella has held an essential role in Artexim – the organiser of the George Enescu International Festival and Competition - serving as Artists Manager, Coordinator of the Enescu Competition and Production Coordinator of the Enescu Festival, ensuring the seamless execution of one of the world’s most renowned classical music events. Her artistic journey began at the age of seven, when she started studying the violin. Still, her career formally shifted toward management when she took on the role of Producer of the Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra at the Romanian Broadcasting Corporation in Bucharest — a position she continues to hold. With a dual background in performance and management, Graziella brings a blend of artistic insight and strategic thinking to every project she undertakes, aiming to create meaningful cultural experiences and contribute to the sustainable development of the arts sector.

The evening ended with a virtuoso piano recital by George Todică, laureate of the 2022 George Enescu Competition, with works by master composers from Romania and around the world. Romanian concert pianist George Todica completed an Artist Diploma degree from the Royal College of Music in 2019 after previously undertaking his Bachelor of Music and Master's of Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, graduating in 2017. George had his Wigmore Hall debut in October 2018 as a Tillett Trust Young Artist. His competition success includes first prizes at the Norah Sande Award in England, the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in Wales, ‘Stefano Marizza’ Piano Competition in Italy, the Moray Piano Competition in Scotland, 2nd prize at the International Piano Campus Competition in France, as well as the Ligeti prize and the prize for the best performance the contemporary work for piano and orchestra and 3rd Prize at the International Piano Competition Istanbul. His international performances include prestigious halls such as the Philharmonic Hall in Trento, the Mozarteum Concert Hall in Salzburg, the Dôme de Pontoise in France. His UK appearances include concerts at the Wigmore Hall, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Yamaha Music London, Charlton House, Lichfield Festival, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Buxton Festival, King’s Lynn Festival, Brunton Theatre, Inverness Town Hall, Ardkinglas Castle, Theatre Clwyd and various other venues. George is also a keen chamber musician, performing regularly with soprano Charlotte Hoather, as well as with violinist Maria Gîlicel and cellist Jobine Siekman, as part of the Chloe Piano Trio.

🗓️ When: Thursday 22 May, 7 pm

📍 Where: RCI London, 1 Belgrave Square, SW1X8PH

❗️An event organised in collaboration with Artexim! Featuring the festival's production coordinator, Graziella Duma, British journalist Peter Quantrill and a recital by the 2022 George Enescu Competition laureate, pianist George Todică.

The evening was opened by Aura Woodward, Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute in London, who warmly welcomed guests and spoke about the enduring cultural legacy of George Enescu and the importance of promoting Romania’s musical excellence on the world stage. Guests then enjoyed an insightful presentation by Graziella Duma, the Festival’s Production Coordinator, who offered a preview of the much-anticipated 27th edition of the Festival, scheduled to take place from August 24 to September 21, 2025. This was followed by an engaging conversation on the Enescu Competition and Festival with British journalist Peter Quantrill, himself an enthusiastic attendee of last year’s edition of the festival. The highlight of the evening was an exquisite recital by pianist George Todica, laureate of the 2022 George Enescu Competition, who enchanted the audience with works by Romanian and international masters.

Photography by Allegorical Studio