The 24th edition of Verbier Festival 2017 came to a close on August 6, 2017 – and what a wonderful event it was! 17 days, 57 concerts and more than 200 events and workshops made this year’s classical music festival one of the best yet.
Verbier village was a hive of musical activity over the two weeks, with soloists, singers, and chamber musicians, spanning all ages and nationalities, coming together to share, perform and inspire with the stunning Swiss mountains as their backdrop.
Over 45,000 visitors – 5% more than last year – were welcomed to Verbier’s world-famous event, many of whom attended concerts in the main halls, but also participated in the Academy and Fest ‘Off – which offered a variety of masterclasses, conferences, and concerts.
A team of 200 staff members from 14 countries ensured that the festival went ahead smoothly, with over 4,000 places dedicated to young people under the age of 25.
97 internationally acclaimed solo musicians from 22 different nations were accompanied by the Verbier Festival Orchestra, 60 musicians for the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra and 57 young musicians (aged 15-18) joined the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra.
A wealth of talent was on offer at this year’s majestic event, with fantastic performances from a diversity of musicians – mesmerising piano playing from Russia’s Grigory Sokolov, smooth jazz from the excellent Pink Martini band from America, Afro-Cuban vibes from legendary Chucho Valdés, and epic symphonies from the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra.
From the Salle des Combins venue seating up to 1,700 people in the main concert hall, to the intimate Verbier churches, music filled the air and streets of Verbier.
Fest’Off, the fringe element of Verbier Festival 2017, had lots of offer with over 100 free events taking place around the village. Everything from storytelling, photography, art workshops and chess masterclasses created a buzz that attracted many visitors and locals.
In addition, the Verbier Festival Academy brought together future musicians and industry professionals with the aim of identifying and nurturing talents from around the world. Daily masterclasses and performances were open to the public to enjoy with wonderful sounds of some of the leading upcoming talents in classical music.
Although Verbier Festival 2017 has come to an end, there’s still plenty of wonderful things to do in this vibrant village. Or, if you have your heart set on attending the Verbier Festival, there’s always next year! Why not book your Verbier chalet in advance and make sure you beat the crowds?
If you are planning a trip to the Swiss Alps and require one of our exclusive Verbier chalets or apartments, get in touch with Chalet Apartment Rentals to discuss your options and requirements.
