Magazine / News
What’s happening in Swiss music. Every day, with the source.
People · Classical & opera · German-speaking Switzerland
Bern's former cantonal minister for culture has led the association of 14 classical festivals and concert series in the Bernese Oberland since 22 October 2026.
Felix Oberholzer · Editorial profile Sources: 2
Brief · Classical & opera · German-speaking Switzerland
Winning Basel Sinfonietta's composition competition brings Paul Taro Schmidt CHF 5,000 and a commission. His new work will be premiered on 19 September 2027 at the Stadtcasino Basel.
Felix Oberholzer Sources: 1
Brief · Classical & opera · French-speaking Switzerland
The baritone from the Hochschule der Künste Bern (HKB) takes the 25,000-franc first prize at the Opéra de Lausanne. For the first time, the singing competition was open to every Swiss university of music.
Felix Oberholzer Sources: 3
Brief · Classical & opera · Italian-speaking Switzerland
From 1 November 2026 Giuliana Zanoni leads the OSI artistically and also curates music at LAC Lugano. The post drew 54 applications.
Felix Oberholzer Sources: 3
Brief · Classical & opera · German-speaking Switzerland
At the International Choir Festival Flanders in Genk, the Lucerne singers win the “Light Music” category and come second in classical music, and their conductor Andreas Wiedmer is named best conductor.
Felix Oberholzer Sources: 1
Brief · Classical & opera · German-speaking Switzerland
The orchestra director of the Basel Symphony Orchestra will step down at the end of July 2028. His successor has not yet been named.
Felix Oberholzer Sources: 2
Brief · Classical & opera · French-speaking Switzerland
Since 26 September, two VR headsets with the OSR's “Virtual Hall” have been available free of charge at the Bibliothèque de la Cité. In October the orchestra will also open an annual residency in Évian.
Felix Oberholzer Sources: 2
Brief · Classical & opera · German-speaking Switzerland
Salvatore Sciarrino's opera “L'Agamennone”, premiered in Bern, is nominated in the “World Premiere” category, and Theater Basel in musical theatre. The awards will be presented in Vienna on 21 November 2026.
Felix Oberholzer Sources: 2
Report · Classical & opera · French-speaking Switzerland · Italian-speaking Switzerland · German-speaking Switzerland
On 19 September in Lausanne, the Federal Office of Culture awarded the Swiss Grand Award for Music to Nadja Räss and ten further prizes, including to violinist Esther Hoppe and the Graubünden ensemble ö!.
Felix Oberholzer Sources: 3
People · Classical & opera · German-speaking Switzerland
The bassoonist, who completed his master's at the Zurich University of the Arts in 2024, receives the first prize of 15,000 euros.
Felix Oberholzer Sources: 2
Brief · Classical & opera · German-speaking Switzerland
After 25 years, Numa Bischof Ullmann will step down as managing director of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra at the end of June 2028. He will stay connected to the orchestra through the piano festival and the foundation.
Felix Oberholzer Sources: 2