The 77th edition honoured France, bringing together a multigenerational audience
From 31 May to 8 June, the 77th Septembre Musical Montreux-Vevey was held, with nine concerts in three emblematic venues on the Vaud Riviera: the Auditorium Stravinski, the Château de Chillon and the Hôtel des Trois Couronnes. France, the cradle of European culture, was in the spotlight. The festival welcomed the best orchestras, conductors and soloists, as well as young virtuosos from all over France.
The 2023 edition was an exceptionally warm spring, with the honour of welcoming two of France's most prestigious symphony ensembles: the Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France. They performed emblematic masterpieces of France's musical heritage with the powerful support of internationally renowned conductors and soloists such as Renaud Capuçon, Tugan Sokhiev, Bertrand Chamayou, Mikko Franck, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Gautier Capuçon and Sol Gabetta. True to its desire to forge links with other styles of music, Septembre Musical also programmed the talented accordionist Richard Galliano for a concert specially designed for the festival. And, in keeping with its tradition of promoting young talent, a concert showcased some of France's finest young virtuosos.
"This 77th edition was a firework display of emotion and beauty! I felt an unprecedented desire on the part of the artists to share unique moments. We're delighted to see that the public responded to our call and were clearly won over by the artistic quality of the concerts. We've also noticed that our event has attracted spectators of all ages", says festival director Mischa Damev. And Laurent Maire, Chairman of the Foundation Board of Septembre Musical Montreux-Vevey, concludes: "Our mission to popularise classical music, that great timeless music, seems to have been heard, and we're delighted!"
A popular success confirmed by two sold-out concerts at the Château de Chillon and six concerts at the Auditorium Stravinski, each attended by over a thousand people. What's more, this 77th edition of the Festival opened the doors of culture to 3,000 children in the region, through cultural mediation activities for schoolchildren and the Jeunesse musicale evening on 2 June at the Auditorium Stravinski in Montreux.