In Budapest, the history of concert life goes back one-hundred years. From the end of the 19 th century until the first World War, Budapest was one of the most important European cities and its cultural life reflected this status.
The first permanent symphonic orchestra was founded as early as 1853 conducted by Ferenc Erkel and by this time operas were regularly played in different theaters. Pesti Vigadó was opened in 1865, where several Liszt-premiers were performed and it turned out to be the center of concertlife at the turn of the century. In 1875 Ferenc Liszt founded the Music Academy which, in a short period, became the most prestigious musical institution in Europe. The Opera House opened for audiences in 1884, a musical theater with the highest standards and best equipment of its time and in the first decades artists like Gustav Mahler or Artúr Nikisch worked there. The present form of the Music Academy was completed in 1907 and its fascinating Great Hall with excellent acoustics and 1000 seats gradually became the center of concert life. Between the two World Wars only a few concert halls were built and after the second World War, the Kongresszusi Központ (Congressional Center) was the only new establishment. Although its acoustics is not the most appropriate, the size of the stage and the auditorium is capable of hosting events that require a full orchestra and a large audience. After the political changes, one of the most influential venues of concert life is the Művészetek Palotája (Palace of Arts) with its new concert hall. Művészetek Palotája with its 1800 seat concert hall and its 400 seat theater for chamber-opera productions was opened in the spring of 2005, satisfying all the needs of the musical life in the 21 st century. The acoustics of the National Concert Hall was designed by Russel Johnson, one of the world's most renowned acoustic experts. Nowadays music lovers have a wide range of choices for concerts in Budapest: besides the National Concert Hall, the Music Academy, the Old Academy, Pesti Vigadó and the Opera House, there are numerous smaller halls. The great variety of venues are complemented by hundreds of concerts held each month make Budapest's concert life uniquely attractive. Budapest is exceptional with more than six symphonic orchestras and a countless number of chamber ensembles and soloists.
There are two free program guides called Fidelio and the Koncertkalendárim to help concert goers to get a clear overview of the cornucopia of musical programs in Budapest.
