The first of those was the beautiful music that filled my ears here in the Alps.

Cult of Kaufmann
The two-month long Menuhin Festival Gstaad provided us with a wealth of first-rate music this summer. As a former opera singer, I take particular interest in the vocal music that appears on the region’s stages. In this GSTAADLIFE, I’ve reviewed the highly anticipated concert with Jonas Kaufmann, one of the world’s most beloved tenors. It was a moment of absolute joy for me (and for the other 1,999 people who waited on baited breath for his appearance). If we have any luck at all, Kaufmann’s first performance at the festival won’t be his last.

That brings us to a preview of the country superstars set to strut their stuff at Country Night Gstaad. With big names like Patty Loveless and Switzerland’s own Philip Fankhauser coming to town, a weekend-long honky-tonk extravaganza is in store. Don’t worry, you’ve still got two weeks to spit-shine your boots and don your best cowboy clothing before line-dancing the night away.

Well-Drawn Boy
August featured another special experience for me, an afternoon with Profile interviewee and one of the region’s loveliest residents, the soft-spoken Huck Scarry. The artist and illustrator is the son of famed children’s author Richard Scarry, and the father of four artistic children himself. Huck welcomed the magazine to his chalet for a chat about his family’s legacy and his life’s work. From teaching watercolour to playing the alphorn, this talented Renaissance man brings authentic passion to everything he does.

Trading Up?
Is the Swiss system of apprenticeship better
than a university education in the UK or USA? Diana Oehrli discusses the merits of learning a trade rather than high-level “book-learning” in her Last Word column. Whether you agree with her or not, it is sure to raise some interesting conversations about intellectual challenge versus practical career preparation.

Car & Driver
A dedicated reader, Hans Matti, shares with us the story of his lifelong love affair with Bugatti cars. From his early years here in Gstaad to his later purchase of several of the cult-classic automobiles, Matti has made Bugatti a real part of his life. He encourages us to indulge our desires, and take a ride of our own in a favourite car.

Another form of transport is in the news this month. The Saanenland’s historic funicular, dubbed the “funi,” is now at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Luzern. With just a few thousand more francs needed in donations, it will soon be ready for complete renovation. After its makeover, the funi will stay on display at the museum as an ambassador for the Saanenaland.
If you’re looking to unload some of your fortune for a good cause, this may be it–big donors will win big accolades.

The Olive Garden
For some gourmands or foodies, the Saanenland is the height of delicious experiences with more than a dozen Gault & Millau and Michelin-starred restaurants. A new kitchen will add Italian gastronomy to that list this December. Januaria Piromallo tells the tale of Tonino Cacace, an Italian entrepreneur who has his sights set on bringing his double Michelin-starred The Olivo to the Promenade. In contrast to The Olive Garden, the United States’ ever-popular Italian restaurant chain, we expect Cacace will forgo the extra warranty on his pots and pans, and dare to cook the pasta with a pinch of salt.

End of the Line
August is coming to a close and this is GSTAADLIFE’s final issue of the summer. Our traditional off-season lasts through December, when our first issue of the winter will arrive just in time for the holidays.

Until then, dear readers, enjoy the upcoming season of colourful leaves and even more colourful adventures.

 

Best regards,

Alexis Munier

Editor in Chief