74th edition of the Septembre Musical Festival under the sign of Russian culture

Under the impetus of its new director, Mr Mischa Damev, the festival will henceforth put a country in the spotlight each year. The culture of this country will be celebrated in all its forms: its classical music of course with its musicians, orchestras, composers and soloists. But also its traditional music, cuisine and visual arts*. The festival will offer the public in French-speaking Switzerland and elsewhere a range of new experiences this year.

In 2019, Septembre Musical opens a window on the very rich Russian culture, both traditional and modern. Confirmed artists are programmed, among the best in Russia, such as the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, the conductor Valery Gergiev, the Russian National Orchestra or the pianist Nikolaï Lugansky. The festival has also chosen to highlight young prodigies, such as the Glinka Choir, and true geniuses, such as the participants in the Nutcracker project or the break-dancers in the show Reverse.

Throughout the festival, various projects will aim to raise awareness among the younger generation. At the opening of the festival, at teatime, the children's singer Henri Dès and the famous Russian conductor Valery Gergiev will share with young and old alike the most beautiful musical tale: Peter and the Wolf by Serge Prokoviev. In addition, meetings in the form of workshops will also be organised between the young Russian prodigies and their Swiss counterparts. The repositioning of the festival will be completed by a ticket office with particularly attractive prices for young people.

In the mild weather at the end of the summer, four prestigious venues on the Riviera will be taken over: Chillon Castle, the Stravinsky Auditorium in Montreux, the Temple Saint-Martin and the Reflet-Théâtre de Vevey.

"Culture is a formidable tool for understanding others, and I am delighted to offer the people of Montreux, Vevey and elsewhere the opportunity to explore several facets of it, from 1 to 9 September 2019," says the new director Mischa Damev.