GstaadLife 5 | Editorial
One of the things I’ve learned in editing GstaadLife is that new paths don’t always announce themselves. They’re not necessarily bold decisions or dramatic departures. Often, they appear quietly—hidden in plain sight, waiting for us to notice them.
Arrivederci Christoph!
Nowadays, it is rare to be able to boast nearly a quarter of a century in the same job. But in Gstaad, we like to give time, time... Portrait of Christoph Müller, the undisputed boss of the Menuhin Festival, who is stepping down after 24 editions (one edition being cancelled because ...
Behind the scenes at the Menuhin festival
We asked Christoph Müller to share some of his funniest memories, and he was generous with his anecdotes. Here are the most memorable ones:
Music for the Planet: A trio’s urgent plea for change
Optimism, despair, hope, and unease – the concert at Saanen Church on Sunday, 3 August, channelled the full spectrum of emotions that come with contemplating the state of our planet. “Unauffälliger Rebell – Music for the Planet”, part of the Gstaad Menuhin Festival ...
A Summer of Transformation
Gstaad Menuhin Festival 2025 approaches its Grand Finale
High vibrations at the Gstaad Menuhin Festival opening
William Christie and Les Arts Florissants brought Handel’s “Israel in Egypt” to life in Saanen’s village church.
BETWEEN HARMONIES AND SOARING HEIGHTS
Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy | 18 July – 6 September 2025
A MUSICIAN BEYOND BORDERS – AN INTERVIEW WITH FAZIL SAY
Returning this summer as a familiar face – and as the 2025 Artist in Residence – Fazıl Say once again graces the Gstaad Menuhin Festival with a series of original and deeply personal performances in solo, duo, trio, and quintet formats. He will give no fewer than three concerts that ...
BEHIND THE SCENES: INTERVIEW WITH LUKAS WITTERMANN
Lukas Wittermann, Managing Director of Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy, gave GstaadLife a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring the Gstaad Menuhin Festival to life. From leading the team to managing the budget and overseeing the complex logistics, his role keeps the operation moving ...
My long-held wishes came true
PREVIEW Gstaad Menuhin Festival:
Starting Friday, 18 July, the third and final chapter of the Gstaad Menuhin Festival’s “Wandel” (Transformation) cycle unfolds. This year’s theme, “Migration”, also marks the final edition under the artistic leadership of Christoph ...
Starting Friday, 18 July, the third and final chapter of the Gstaad Menuhin Festival’s “Wandel” (Transformation) cycle unfolds. This year’s theme, “Migration”, also marks the final edition under the artistic leadership of Christoph ...
The only Constant is Change
Change was the theme—both literally and figuratively—at last week’s General Assembly of the Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy. Chairman of the Board, Aldo Kropf, announced his resignation, with Richard Müller named as his successor.
Green light for three major projects in Saanen
At Friday’s extraordinary municipal assembly, the residents of Saanen clearly approved all items on the agenda, including three large-scale projects: the redevelopment of the Rellerli gondola, upgrades to the Saanenmöser-Schönried tourism area, and increased planning funds for a new ...
Modernising the Gstaad Sports Centre
At the upcoming Saanen municipal assembly, residents will vote on the municipality’s contribution to the planning costs for a new sports and event hall
3rd Alberto Lysy International Violin Competition
Once more, Gstaad will host an extraordinary musical event: the 3rd Alberto Lysy International Violin Competition, which will be held from October 18th to 20th, 2024.
The Renewed Yehudi Menuhin Philosophers' Walk
A Journey of Thought Along the Saane: The Yehudi Menuhin Philosophers' Walk has undergone a thoughtful renewal. New plaques, adorned with fresh quotes and QR codes, invite passersby to reflect as they walk along the peaceful Saane River.
Blending classical and electronic music at Eggli Berghaus
Classical music for some, electronic for others: at the “Visions of Classical Music – Trans-Classics X”, two distinct musical worlds collided on the Eggli, expanding our horizons. The evening’s transformation proved that this “transfusion” of genres worked beauti ...
Wagner in Gstaad: A Memorable Opera Evening
The Gstaad Menuhin Festival took a bold step by bringing one of Richard Wagner's grand operas to the festival tent stage. Wagner, a revered and controversial composer, is known for his demanding works. However, with the world-famous tenor Jonas Kaufmann cast in the role of Tristan, musical success was ...
GstaadLife 5 | Editorial
Coming together! As we bask in the afterglow of the EFG Swiss Open Gstaad, it’s clear that sports have a unique power to bring us together. This month’s theme, “Coming Together”, celebrates the connections we forge through sports and community initiatives.
Conducting creativity - Interview with Sir Antonio Pappano
After 22 years as music director of the Royal Opera House, Sir Antonio Pappano will soon take up the position of chief conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. He spoke with GstaadLife ahead of the two programmes he is conducting at this year’s Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy.
A unanimous choice: Menuhin board of directors hands over future artistic direction to Daniel Hope
The Board of Directors of the Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy has unanimously chosen Daniel Hope as its new Artistic Director. He will succeed Christoph Müller, who will step down at the end of 2025.