Music and Food on the Shores of the Bosphorus
A metropolis at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, a city of extraordinary history and a cuisine beloved the world over: from May 23-25, 2025 Tertulia arrives on the shores of the Bosphorus, in intoxicating Istanbul.
While packages including hotel are no longer available, there are a small number of events-only Weekend Passes still available. We recommend checking with The Bank Hotel regarding room availability; there are a number of other hotels in the immediate vicinity - we recommend Soho House, 10 Karaköy and Adahan DeCamondo Pera. Ticketing information is below.
Itinerary
Friday May 23, 6PM | The Bank Roof Bar
Drinks, hors d’oeuvres and lively performances overlooking the Bosphorus: welcome to Tertulia x Istanbul. The gorgeous rooftop of the Bank Hotel, our Istanbul home away from home, hosts our pre-dinner welcome party; afterwards, Friday evening is your chance to choose-your-own-adventure in Istanbul’s incredible dining scene.
The Musical Program
Tanburi İsak EFENDI (1745-1814) Yegah Sâz Semâi for Rebab Solo
Johann Christian BACH (1735-1782) Oboe Quartet in B-flat Major, W. B60 (1760)
Isidora ŽEBELJAN (1967-2020) Miracle in Shargan for Oboe and Viola (2003)
Ceren TÜRKMENOĞLU Mâi for String Quartet and frame drum (2020)
Erberk ERYILMAZ (b. 1989) Bolulu Ama Rasim for String Quartet (2021)
Ali UFKÎ BEY (1610-1675) Semâî Efrencî
Saturday May 24, 7PM | Hodan
We spend Saturday evening in the beautiful courtyard/dining room/enchanted garden of Hodan, one of Istanbul’s most celebrated restaurants. Two courses of world-class chamber music performances divide a multi-course meal in our “classic Tertulia” format, accompanied by Turkish wines, beers and rakı.
The Musical Program
Jean-Féry REBEL (1666-1747) Suite from Les élémens (1738)
Erberk ERYILMAZ (b. 1989) Hoppa! 3 for String Quartet and Darbuka (2018)
Bedřich SMETANA (1824-1884) String Quartet No. 1 in E Minor, “From My Life” (1876)
"Come to this arty Turkish brasserie in a historic building in Beyoğlu for chef Çiğdem Seferoğlu’s irresistible market-driven cuisine — from her famous chopped salad dressed with a sour cherry sorbet to her majestic octopus with green olives, cooked in a wood-burning oven. Hodan's Sunday brunches are legendary." - Anya von Bremzen, Food and Wine
Sunday May 25, 11AM | Meet Lab Coffee
No trip to Istanbul is complete without a ferry ride on the Bosphorus; destination: Moda, one of the buzziest neighborhoods in the city, for coffee, pastries and an intimate performance at superlative Meetlab Coffee. Together we caffeinate in celebration of Tertulia’s debut in Asia.
The Musical Program
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Duo for Violin and Viola in G Major, KV 423 (1783)
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) String Trio in B-flat Major D 471 (1814)
Sunday May 25, 6PM | Foxy Nişantaşı
Foxy, in elegant Nistantası, hosts our final gathering with expertly chosen natural Turkish wines, a multi-course meal of exceptional small dishes and intimate performances on their terrace and inside their cozy wine bar. We bid farewell to the weekend and to Istanbul with some of the finest hospitality the city has to offer.
The Musical Program
Grażyna BACEWICZ (1909-1969) Easy Duets on Folk Themes for Violin and Viola (1943)
Erberk ERYILMAZ Miniatures No. 7 for Oboe, Viola Drone and Percussion (2017)
Zoltán KODÁLY (1882-1967) Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7 (1914)
“Chef Maksut Aşkar of the MICHELIN-starred Neolokal and wine specialist Levon Bağış have appointed a team here that understands their philosophy. Here, you can sip wonderful Turkish wines – from natural wines to classic appellations – and savour a fresh, modern and sophisticated take on local classics.” - Michelin Guide, Bib Gourmand
The Musicians of Tertulia x Istanbul
Abigél Králik, violin
Ceren Türkmenoğlu, violin and rebab
Mathis Rochat, viola
Ella van Poucke, cello
Erberk Eryılmaz, darbuka, davul and composer
James Austin Smith, oboe and host
Ticketing Information
Weekend Passes include:
Four specially-curated music and food events around Istanbul
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for all events
Supporter Add-On includes:
Front row seating at all events
Recognition in festival program book
Fully tax-deductible in the United States
Guests who choose to pay via check, QuickPay or Zelle will save on all ticketing fees. Please contact Tertulia to arrange payment.
Travel Information
Turkish Airlines provides convenient non-stop flights to Istanbul from 14 US gateways including San Francisco, Atlanta, Newark and New York JFK; Uber is safe, convenient and reliable for airport transfers as well as within Istanbul.
Please note that neither flights nor airport transfers are included in our packages.
Geography
Tertulia x Istanbul is being organized in geographic relation to the Bank Hotel; should you choose to book a hotel elsewhere in this sprawling city, you may encounter long travel times to the weekend’s events. Event specifics, along with artists and programs, will be announced in February/March 2025.
Perfect with Friends and Family
While Tertulia’s weekend festivals are great solo or as a pair, many guests enjoy the opportunity to meet up with far-flung friends and family over wonderful meals and cultural experiences. We will ensure you spend your evenings seated together.
See More of Türkiye
Extend/expand your stay in Türkiye! Tertulia is pleased to be partnering with Istanbul Tour Studio, a top-rated, Istanbul-based, bespoke travel and tour agency who will gladly assist in extending your trip to Bodrum, Cappadocia, Antalya or wherever else you have always wanted to explore.
Making it Happen
All packages, as well as the Supporter Add-On, include a donation to Tertulia (tax deductible in the United States) to help offset the costs of Tertulia x Istanbul. Donations will be calculated and recognized in tax year 2025.
