UNDER THE STARS OF SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, BRIAN MAY, ANDREA BOCELLI, SARAH BRIGHTMAN AND RICK WAKEMAN UNITE MUSIC AND THE COSMOS AT STARMUS VIII, CELEBRATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE STARMUS STEPHEN HAWKING MEDAL AND THE INAUGURAL JANE GOODALL EARTH MEDAL
An extraordinary evening of music, science and inspiration featuring Brian May, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman and Rick Wakeman celebrates a decade of the Stephen Hawking Medal, honours the Artemis II crew for their courageous mission and recognises Brian May’s contribution to wildlife conservation with the inaugural Jane Goodall Earth Medal, along with Christian Figueres for her incredible work bringing countries together to tackle climate change and protect our planet.
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Canary Islands, Spain — 18 October 2026 — Beneath the spectacular night sky of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, STARMUS VIII celebrated an extraordinary convergence of science, music, exploration and environmental awareness, marking the 10th anniversary of the STARMUS Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication. The evening brought together world-renowned artists, astronauts and leading figures in science for a memorable celebration of human achievement, the wonders of the Universe and our responsibility to protect the planet we call home.
Brian May and Andrea Bocelli unite music and the cosmos
The evening’s highlight was a spectacular celebratory concert featuring Sir Brian May and Andrea Bocelli, whose outstanding performances brought music and the cosmos together in a powerful tribute to the enduring legacy of Professor Stephen Hawking. Joined by internationally acclaimed soprano Sarah Brightman, legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman, Las Palmas Symphony Orchestra and Starmus All Stars Band, the artists created a remarkable musical celebration reflecting the distinctive spirit of STARMUS, where science meets art and the boundaries of human imagination are challenged. The audience was mesmerised by a stunning collaborative rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody with Brian May, Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman, Rick Wakeman , Dino Jalisick and Jeff Scott Soto.
Set beneath the stars of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the concert captured the wonder of the Universe and the extraordinary ability of music to unite people across cultures, generations and disciplines.
Sir Brian May — legendary Queen guitarist, astrophysicist and STARMUS co-founder — has spent his career bridging music and science. His performance embodied the festival’s founding philosophy: that scientific discovery and artistic expression share a common language of curiosity, imagination and wonder.
Andrea Bocelli, one of the world’s most celebrated tenors, brought his extraordinary voice to the occasion, creating moments of profound musical emotion. Sarah Brightman and Rick Wakeman added to the exceptional gathering of artistic talent, making the concert a fitting celebration of the festival’s tenth-anniversary milestone.
The evening reflected the legacy of Professor Stephen Hawking, whose groundbreaking contributions to cosmology and determination to communicate complex scientific ideas inspired millions around the world.
Celebrating ten years of the Stephen Hawking Medal
Established in 2016 by Professor Stephen Hawking and STARMUS co-founders Sir Brian May and astrophysicist Garik Israelian, the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication recognises outstanding contributions to bringing science to wider audiences through communication, music, film and the arts.
Over the past decade, the medal has celebrated the power of storytelling, performance and public engagement to communicate scientific discovery and inspire future generations.
In a moving highlight of the evening, the Artemis II crew were welcomed on stage by STARMUS co-founders Professor Garik Israelian and Sir Brian May, who presented the astronauts with the prestigious Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication and a special OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch.
The presentation celebrated the crew’s role in inspiring audiences around the world and bringing the adventure of human space exploration closer to people of all ages. The tenth-anniversary celebration was a tribute to Professor Hawking’s extraordinary legacy and a reaffirmation of the importance of science communication in a world facing profound scientific, technological and environmental challenges.
A surprise tribute: Brian May receives the inaugural Jane Goodall Earth Medal
In one of the evening’s most moving and unexpected moments, Sir Brian May was awarded the inaugural Jane Goodall Earth Medal, recognising his longstanding commitment to animal welfare, wildlife conservation and environmental protection. In a deeply personal presentation, the medal was presented to Brian May by Dr Jane Goodall’s son, Nick van Lawick, alongside her grandchildren, honouring the extraordinary legacy of the pioneering primatologist and conservationist.
The award recognised Brian May’s tireless work for animal welfare and his determination to protect wildlife and the natural world. Through SAVE ME, the campaign he founded to defend British wildlife, particularly foxes and badgers, May has become a prominent advocate for animal protection and the preservation of natural habitats.
His wider environmental work, including support for wildlife conservation and tree planting, reflects his conviction that humanity has a responsibility to safeguard the natural world for future generations. The surprise presentation was a powerful tribute to the shared values of Jane Goodall and Brian May: compassion for animals, respect for nature and a determination to inspire meaningful action to protect our planet.
The award also added a significant environmental dimension to an evening dedicated to science, discovery and humanity’s place in the Universe. It reinforced the message that exploring the cosmos must go hand in hand with protecting life here on Earth.
STARMUS VIII: The Search for Truth
Taking place from 17 to 22 October 2026 in Tenerife and La Palma, Canary Islands, STARMUS VIII brings together leading scientists, astronauts, Nobel laureates, artists, musicians and explorers under the theme “The Search for Truth.” Through scientific lectures, discussions, public events and live performances, the festival explores the frontiers of knowledge, space exploration, technology, environmental responsibility and the human condition.
At a time when scientific literacy, critical thinking and environmental awareness are increasingly important, STARMUS reaffirms its commitment to making knowledge accessible, encouraging dialogue across disciplines and inspiring future generations to question, discover and explore.
The opening celebration in Santa Cruz de Tenerife captured the festival’s unique vision: a world in which science and art work together to expand our understanding, music brings people together, and the pursuit of knowledge inspires us to protect our planet.
Beneath the stars, the performances of Brian May, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman and Rick Wakeman, the recognition of the Artemis II crew and the surprise honour bestowed upon Brian May combined to create an evening celebrating discovery, creativity, compassion and the enduring human spirit. Ten years after the creation of the Stephen Hawking Medal, the message remains as urgent as ever: understanding the Universe is a collective human endeavour, and protecting our world is a responsibility we all share.
About STARMUS
Founded by astrophysicist Garik Israelian and Sir Brian May, musician, astrophysicist and legendary Queen guitarist, STARMUS is an international festival dedicated to science, exploration, music and the arts. Bringing together Nobel laureates, astronauts, scientists, innovators and world-renowned artists, STARMUS creates a unique platform for communicating science, celebrating human achievement and inspiring the next generation.
STARMUS VIII took place in Tenerife and La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, from 17–22 October 2026, under the theme The Search for Truth.
Website: https://www.starmus.com