The Pinnacle of Bel Canto Opera – Starring Sonya Yoncheva
A timeless tale of love, betrayal and inner turmoil. An exquisite fusion of soaring melodies, vocal brilliance and electrifying drama — Bellini’s Norma is the stuff of legends! The title role is one of the most formidable challenges in opera history, demanding both the power of a dramatic soprano and the agility of a coloratura virtuoso. Only a select few dare to take on this role — and those who succeed leave an indelible mark on opera history. On August 22, the internationally acclaimed soprano Sonya Yoncheva will take centre stage, joined by an exceptional cast and the Gstaad Festival Orchestra under the baton of Domingo Hindoyan, in a semi-staged performance of Norma. Expect a night of pulsating rhythms, heart-stopping drama, and legendary arias that will send shivers down your spine.
Gabriela Montero: Virtuoso, Visionary & Brilliant Composer
Gabriela Montero’s “Latin Concerto” is a mesmerising journey through the light and shadows of Latin America. “It brings together all the rhythms, charm and sensuality that the world loves about our culture”, says the Venezuelan artist. On August 9, Montero herself will take the stage at the Gstaad Festival Tent, breathing life into the rich tapestry of Latin America with her performance. “My concerto shows that not everything that glitters is gold.” More than a century earlier, Antonín Dvořák found inspiration in America’s deep-rooted traditions for his Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, “From the New World”. A masterpiece brimming with melodies influenced by Bohemian, Western European and African American traditions, this symphony will be brought to life by the Gstaad Festival Orchestra and Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla — a grand musical panorama not to be missed.
Artistic Director Christoph Müller’s Insider Tip
“An extraordinary musical fireworks display: Georges Bizet in all his orchestral splendor, conducted by Marc Minkowski, the world-renowned specialist in period performance. On August 23, alongside his celebrated ensemble Les Musiciens du Louvre, Minkowski will bring Bizet’s magic to life in honor of the composer’s 150th anniversary. The programme features highlights from Carmen and both complete L’Arlésienne suites, alongside rarely performed gems from the Jeux d’Enfants cycle — which was originally written for piano four hands — and both operas La Jolie Fille de Perth and Djamileh. At the heart of this extraordinary evening stands the debut of Marina Viotti, the French-Swiss mezzo-soprano who recently won a Grammy and captivated millions at the Paris 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony. A night of passion, virtuosity and Bizet’s timeless brilliance awaits!”
Fazıl Say in Residence
Each of Fazıl Say’s concerts is a one-of-a-kind experience, full of surprises. More than just a virtuoso, the exceptional pianist and composer has a unique ability to reveal the deepest secrets hidden within music. A familiar face at the Festival, Fazıl Say knows the Saanenland like an old friend. This summer, as «Artist in Residence», his stay promises an especially immersive time in and around Gstaad, with three concerts that build in intensity – from solo to duo to quintet.
“Origin“: Concerts That Make Our Roots Resonate
The cycle “Origin” explores the footprints of our heritage, the sense of belonging and the profound significance of deep-rooted connections across eight concerts. Musically, the journey spans from the shores of the Bosporus to the rivers of Upper Austria (featuring Schubert’s famous “Trout Quintet”) and the emotional paths of emigration – such as the world premiere of the “Immigrants” trio. On July 23, Lucerne-based soprano Regula Mühlemann will bring “Songs from Home” to life – imbued with the rich colours of Switzerland and a nostalgia-laden search for comfort and belonging.
the Gstaad Concert Hall
The Vision for the Gstaad Concert Hall Gains Momentum and Public Support.
A world-class concert hall with 1,200 seats – designed with state-of-the-art acoustics and modern architecture – is set to replace the current Gstaad Festival Tent and reinforce Gstaad’s position as a cultural hotspot.
Closely linked to this vision is a new multi-purpose venue that will host sports and events all year round. A major milestone on the path to realisation came on April 4, 2025, when residents of the Saanen municipality overwhelmingly approved funding for the planning phase of the sports and event hall. A clear message: the community stands behind the project and its ambitious goals.
Our Mission Menuhin
As part of the recently launched "Mission Menuhin“ initiative, Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy has embraced a profound commitment to sustainability. To achieve this goal, we have defined measures that contribute to gradually reducing our CO2 emissions and raising awareness among our audience, team, and partners about responsible resource management. Some of these measures have already been implemented, such as the concert series “Music for the Planet”. Many more will follow, both during and around the Festival. Would you like to join us on this journey? Visit “Mission Menuhin” to keep up to date about new measures, projects, and progress.
gstaad academy
It is with the idea of perpetuating its commitment to the next generation that Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy created the Gstaad Academy in 2008: a structure in its own right to support an increasingly rich academic offer. At the Gstaad Academy we offer the complete range of master courses addressed to young professionals, as well as all the courses which are aimed at amateur orchestra musicians of all ages.
YEHUDI MENUHIN
Lord Menuhin, the founder of the Gstaad classical music festival bearing his name, is still remembered as a world famous violin child prodigy, conductor and humanist. His remarkable humanity, his multi-faceted artistic gifts and his perpetual curiosity were the hallmarks of his creative endeavours. It was in 1957 that this honorary resident of Saanen founded the legendary festival in the Saanenland. The promotion of young talent was just as important to him as playing music amongst friends.
