Hollywood Star Adam Driver Spotted at Budapest’s Liszt Academy

The Liszt Academy of Music, one of Budapest’s architectural and cultural treasures, recently welcomed Hollywood star Adam Driver during his filming break.

Budapest’s vibrant cultural life recently intersected with Hollywood glamour when actor Adam Driver attended a concert at the Liszt Academy of Music—locally known as the Zeneakadémia—during a break from filming in the city.

The Liszt Academy shared on its official Facebook page that the world-famous star, in town shooting Alone at Dawn with director Ron Howard, chose to spend an evening listening to classical music instead of the typical nightlife. On November 15, Driver sat in the Academy’s stunning Grand Hall to hear Franz Liszt’s complete Années de pèlerinage piano cycle performed in honor of the institution’s 150th anniversary. The performers included Liszt Prize–winning pianist and rector Gábor Farkas, faculty member Fülöp Ránki, and three outstanding young students: Máté Paládi, Ildikó Rozsonits, and Attila Szaniszló.

Driver’s presence was more than a celebrity sighting — it highlighted a beloved European tradition that blends historic architecture, exceptional music, and public access. The Franz Liszt Academy of Music is one of Budapest’s cultural crown jewels. Founded by Liszt himself in 1875 and housed in an ornate Art Nouveau building near Andrássy Avenue, the Academy is both a leading conservatory and a spectacular destination for visitors.

Even if your trip to Budapest isn’t timed with a special anniversary concert, the Academy’s Grand Hall concerts are worth experiencing. Guided tours of the building reveal richly decorated interiors and stories of the many composers and musicians connected to Hungary’s musical heritage.

For tourists looking for cultural depth beyond cafés and ruin bars, a night at the Liszt Academy offers world-class music in an unforgettable setting — and, as Adam Driver discovered, can be a perfect way to recharge amid the bustle of travel or filming.

Photo: Erdős Dénes / Liszt Academy Facebook page