Corfu has a long musical tradition going back to the time when the Seven Islands were a Venetian domination.The Venetians introduced opera in Corfu. They Converted the local 'Loggia' into a theatre (the first on Greek soil in modern times) where opera performances started in 1733 and continued for several years after the union with Greece.

This theatre was called the San Giacomo. In 1903 it was converted into City Hall and a larger theatre was built - this was bombed and destroyed in World War II.During the British Protectorate, the musical tradition was carried on by Nikolaos Chalikiopoulos-Mantzaros who founded the first modern school of music on Greek soil. A large number of musicians were trained by Mantzaros. Among them was Spyros Xyndas who composed the first Greek opera.

Mantzaros was taught music in his native city by the brothers Stefano (pianoforte) and Gerolamo Pojago (violin), Stefano Moretti from Ancona (music theory) and cavalliere Barbati, possibly a Neapolitan (music theory and composition). Mantzaros presented his first compositions (three concert or substitute arias and the one-act azione comica Don Crepuscolo) in 1815 in the theatre of San Giacomo of Corfu.

Another distinguished Corfiot composer was Spyros Samaras. He is considered one of the founders of the contemporary School of Italian opera and wrote nine operas. He composed the Olympic Hymn to lines by the poet Kostis Palamas. The Hymn was first performed at the Olympic Games of 1896 in Athens.

The first music institution in Corfu and in the whole Greece was founded in 1840 under the name of the Philharmonic Society of Corfu. The society was established during the British Protectorate and the band made its first appearance at the procession of St. Spiridon in November 1841.

The Philharmonic Society of Corfu is called the 'Old Philharmonic' to distinguish it from a more recent one founded in 1890 and called the 'Mantzaros Philharmonic Society'. A third Philharmonic Society under the name 'Capodistrias Philharmonic Union' was founded in 1980 in Corfu town.Also several villages on the island set up their own brass bands.

Throughout the summer Corfu is home to many musical happenings. The Music department of the Ionian University holds Summer Schools, with intensive courses covering Wind and Percussion instruments, Ancient Greek music and Vocal and Instrumental Performance and Composition.

Hundreds of prominent music professors, students and professional musicians, both from Greece and abroad, converge on the island to take part in a festival of music. Corfu's 17 brass bands give classical music and jazz concerts in the Upper Liston Square and both of the town's fortresses are home to spectacular performances.

It is expected that the new Corfiot Festival of Music which will be inaugurated in 2005 will enhance Corfu's musical profile even further.