PRESS
PRESS RELEASE
Portoferraio, September 24, 2025
29th Season of the International Music Festival
“Elba Isola Musicale d’Europa”
August 29 – September 13, 2025
Final Press Release
Overwhelmingly Positive Results:
+20% in Audience Attendance, Many Foreigners and Young People,
Great Success for All Concerts
The 29th edition of “Elba Isola Musicale d’Europa” has just ended, and it’s time to reflect on the event’s outcome. One particularly significant piece of data stands out: once again, the attendance has increased this year, showing a +20% growth compared to 2024. All concerts—in Portoferraio, Capoliveri, Marciana, Marciana Marina, and Rio—were attended by large audiences, with several sold-out performances, even though some were affected or cancelled because of the severe weather alerts.
“For the first time in the history of the Festival, we had to cancel a concert scheduled in the theater due to the orange alert on September 9th,” commented George Edelman, Artistic Director of Elba Isola Musicale d’Europa. “We are deeply sorry, especially for the damage caused by the flood to the people of Portoferraio, and we express our full solidarity and support to them.”
“In general, we can only express great satisfaction about the overall progress of the Festival, and the steady growth in audience is of particular importance. It was especially meaningful to witness the presence of tourists, including foreigners, and young people, to whom we always pay great attention, also from an artistic standpoint with the Elba Festival Orchestra and the Elba Festival Prize. This year, we awarded the prize to two young musicians from Elba, and hopefully this will serve as an encouragement for other young people to take up an instrument and pursue a music career.”
“Another goal achieved is the growing importance of the Festival in promoting cultural tourism on Elba. Many spectators have told us that they intend to schedule their holidays around the Festival next year. The ‘Elba Music in a Day’ formula is also becoming increasingly successful, offering an easy opportunity to visit Portoferraio and attend one of our concerts before returning to Piombino on the same day.”
The concert with Martha Argerich on September 3rd was a major success, as expected due to the high number of presale ticket requests, many of which were purchased online. The great Argentine pianist acknowledged that she found excellent partners in the members of the Elba Festival Orchestra. Other notable guests of the Festival included Latvian violinist Gidon Kremer, who opened the 29th edition with a tribute to Arvo Pärt on his 90th birthday; cellist Mario Brunello, who performed with his colleague Mauro Valli; and the Indaco Quartet, which confirmed the success it achieved last year. For jazz, mention must be made of Fabrizio Bosso, who captivated the audience at the Flamingo Theater in Capoliveri.
Other significant data includes the press coverage of the Festival in national and regional outlets and the increase in visits to the Festival’s website, which has become a major source of news and practical information, with peaks of access showing a +49% increase in June and +46% in July, with a 36% rise in unique visitors. Social media channels have also shown excellent results, with Facebook interactions increasing by over 12 times compared to last year, and nearly 70% of Instagram views coming from new users.
All these numbers illustrate a Festival that is increasingly able to engage and excite its loyal audience, while attracting new enthusiasts, confirming itself as a lively and inclusive cultural event.
With the 29th edition now behind us, the focus is already on next year’s event, scheduled from August 28 to September 12, which will mark the milestone of 30 years of Elba Isola Musicale d’Europa. “We would love for all the Elban municipalities to join the Festival next year, as it would give great meaning to the celebration of thirty editions,” concludes George Edelman.
Press Office – “Elba Isola Musicale d’Europa”
Roberto Valentino
Tel. +39 335 5201930
r.valentino@elba-music.it