Verbier Festival – is one of the most famous classical music festivals in the world and one of the main musical events in Switzerland. It takes place annually in Switzerland in the mountain resort of Verbier, for two weeks in the second half of July.
The festival originated in this small town, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, in 1994. Its creator and artistic director was Martin Tyson Engstroy.
Over its history, the festival has quickly grown into one of the most prestigious musical events in Europe, bringing together the best musicians on the planet and unknown professionals. Performing here is prestigious for any musician. Stars of world classical music, as well as thousands of its lovers and connoisseurs, come to the Verbier Festival every year.
The festival is distinguished by the originality of its events and is famous for its academy for young musicians from different countries. The rich and varied program of the holiday includes many concerts (mainly chamber, but also symphonic and even jazz), large-scale concert performances of a large opera, master classes, lectures, discussions, street concerts and the opportunity to attend some rehearsals of masters.
It must be said that this festival has always been very closely connected with Russian musicians and Russian music. At the origins of the festival, next to its creator Engstroy, there were also famous musicians from Russia – Yuri Bashmet, Evgeny Kissin, Misha Maisky.
Other famous musicians – festival participants include: Yuri Temirkanov, Valery Gergiev, Rodion Shchedrin, Nelson Freire, David Garrett, Yuya Wang, Martha Argerich, Joshua Bell, Renaud Capuçon, Sarah Chang, Andrew Davis, Renee Fleming, Hillary Khan, Leonidas Kavakos, Vadim Repin, Katya and Mariel Labek, Lang Lang, James Levine, Zubin Mehta, Anna-Sophie Mutter, Thomas Quasthoff, Rene Pape, Mikhail Pletnev and many others.
For world-famous musicians, the festival is a unique platform where you can communicate with colleagues you haven’t seen for years, go to concerts with each other, play music together, discover new names, young performers. After all, many of them have their lives scheduled several years in advance, and it is not always possible to spend time like this. For spectators, the – festival is a lot of unforgettable impressions, because where else in two weeks you can hear so many performers of the highest level, and if you’re lucky, talk with them in one of the many cafes in Verbier or at a traditional post-concert party.
The pride of the festival is its own Youth Orchestra, which is international, with more than 100 musicians from different countries playing in it. During the festival, young musicians learn from masters in joint music-making, have the opportunity to work with world conductors and improve their skills from masters of classical music.
The success of the Verbier Festival – is not only the presence of famous musicians here, the location of its holding is also of great importance. There is magic, a special charm of the alpine town, with the noise of mountain streams, the smell of alpine meadows, a majestic panorama of the mountains, with countless chalets where musicians and their fans can truly relax and unwind. Wonderful music sounds in the bosom of majestic nature – this gives the festival a special atmosphere of harmony and magic.