From 21 July to 6 August 2017, an exceptional music event will be taking place in the Swiss Alps. Verbier Festival boasts an outstanding orchestral programme, featuring some of the biggest names in classical music today.
Offering a range of concerts, master classes and chances of interact with major European music artists, Verbier Festival has acquired international status over the years. The core goal of the festival is to promote and encourage musical excellence and education.
The event is hosted in the heart of Verbier, one of the most popular ski resorts in Switzerland. The audience is invited to spend some time living in the mountains – maybe in a luxury ski chalet or apartment – by attending the prestigious event and participating in a variety of free activities.
Verbier Festival was established in 1994 by innovative thinker Martin Engström. As the founder and brains behind the event, Martin had the ambitious idea of bringing the greatest musicians in the world to Verbier to produce a stunning symphony of musical activity over 17 days each summer.
Since, the festival has grown from strength to strength, attracting a wealth of artists and visitors, though maintaining its sense of intimacy and exclusivity.
1994: Verbier Festival becomes a reality!
1996: Barbara Hendricks, Orchestre Mondial des Jeunesses Musicales and Antonio Pappano opened the Festival in front of a packed concert tent
1998: A whole series of parallel free events sprung up: Fest’Off was born!
2000: Verbier Festival Orchestra (VFO) was established under the musical direction of James Levine
2003: James Levine conducted Strauss’ monumental Elektra, and Luana Devol captivated the audience with her commanding performance
2005: Inauguration of a series of recitals at 8 pm, with some of the world’s greatest performers
2006: the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra (VFCO) was created
2007: Gábor Takács-Nagy took on the musical direction of the VFCO
2009: Charles Dutoit was appointed Music Director of the VFO
2010: Festival moved from a tent to a semi-permanent auditorium, La Salle des Combins
2013: Verbier welcomes for the first time sixty talented young musicians aged 15 to 18 as part of the new Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra (VFJO)
Today, the music festival attracts artists and young musicians from all over the world, with plenty more surprises to come in 2017!
Here’s a little taster of what to expect from this year’s Verbier Festival:
On the opening night will see two of Strauss masterpieces – Charles Dutoit will conduct a concert version of Salome, followed by Elektra conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Piano artists will include: Sergei Babayan, Yefim Bronfman, Barry Douglas, Vladimir Feltsman, Richard Goode, Evgeny Kissin, Nikolaï Lugansky, Mikhaïl Pletnev, András Schiff, Grigory Sokolov, Daniil Trifonov and Yuja Wang, to name but a few.
Violinist will include: Joshua Bell, Renaud Capuçon, Janine Jansen, Leonidas Kavakos and Vadim Repin.
Three conductors will be performing, including Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Lahav Shani and Joshua Weilerstein.
Verbier Festival Orchestra performs Mahler’s Symphony no. 9 under Gianandrea Noseda; and A Hero’s Life conducted by Antonio Pappano, who will be returning after a long stint of absence.
And much, much more!
You may also be considering booking Verbier accommodation during your time here. If so, get in touch with Chalet Apartment Rentals today and discover our exclusive range of luxury ski chalets and apartments. Give us a call on +41(0)7741 71969 or send an email to info@chaletapartmentrentals.com.
Alternatively, fill out our enquiry form today and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
