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Legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform at the STARMUS festival, the unique celebration of science and music. The announcement was made by the festival organizers, Armenpress reports.
The eighth edition of the festival will take place on October 17–22, 2026, on the Spanish islands of Tenerife and La Palma.
Bocelli will perform during the festival's opening ceremony and the STARMUS Medal Awards. He will be joined on stage by legendary Queen guitarist and STARMUS co-founder Sir Brian May, English soprano Sarah Brightman, and other renowned musicians.
"Together, they will celebrate the timeless tradition of bringing classical music and rock together—a musical legacy shaped by unforgettable collaborations among legends such as Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballé, Freddie Mercury, and many others," the statement said.
The eighth edition of the festival will be held under the theme "The Search for Truth."
Although the full list of STARMUS VIII participants has not yet been announced, previous editions have consistently stood out for the diversity of their topics and the exceptional caliber of their speakers. Past festivals have brought together Moonwalkers, astronauts, cosmonauts, Nobel Prize laureates, distinguished scientists, and world-famous musicians.
This year, the festival will present the Jane Goodall Earth Medal for the first time, honoring the late primatologist Jane Goodall. STARMUS co-founder Garik Israelian announced in December 2025 that the medal would recognize individuals who dedicate their efforts and use their voices to promote the protection of our planet and its biodiversity. Jane Goodall, who passed away in 2025, served as a member of the STARMUS Advisory Board.
The festival also annually presents the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication in three categories: Science, Arts, and Film. Previous recipients include SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk, Academy Award-winning director Christopher Nolan, Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, the late primatologist Jane Goodall, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, physicist Jim Al-Khalili, Queen guitarist and astrophysicist Sir Brian May, electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre, and many others.
The first STARMUS Festival was held in 2011. It was co-founded by astrophysicist Garik Israelian and legendary Queen guitarist and astrophysicist Sir Brian May.
In 2022, the festival was held in Armenia for the first time.