For over 75 years, the Summer Festival has been presenting renowned orchestras, legendary conductors, and celebrated soloists in Lucerne.
Each year, the program features a different theme, ranging from Mozart to modern music, from early music to avant-garde experiments—all in the exceptional concert hall of the KKL Lucerne.
Lucerne Festival Orchestra
The Lucerne Festival Orchestra is composed of renowned soloists and musicians, distinguished music educators, and section leaders from Europe’s top orchestras, who come together in Lucerne for the summer season. During the opening week of the Lucerne Festival, the orchestra performs symphonies. After the season, the LFO tours Europe, Asia, and the U.S.
Its predecessor, the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, owes its existence to Arturo Toscanini, who in 1938 assembled an elite ensemble of celebrated musicians to perform at the legendary Concert de Gala. Sixty-five years later, conductor Claudio Abbado and Lucerne Festival Director Michael Haefliger drew inspiration from this and founded the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, which made its debut in August 2003. In 2016, Riccardo Chailly, another Italian, was appointed principal conductor of this unique ensemble.
Lucerne Festival Academy
The Academy is a master school for contemporary music. Every summer, around 130 young musical talents have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the music of the 20th and 21st centuries for three weeks. In daily workshops and lessons, participants explore selected works by modern composers, develop new scores, and experiment with new interpretations. In return, the Lucerne Festival audience is treated to unconventional programs and witnesses astonishing musical experiences.
"Views from the Top" Podcast
Date
August/September 2027 (exact dates to follow)
Each year, the program features a different theme, ranging from Mozart to modern music, from early music to avant-garde experiments—all in the exceptional concert hall of the KKL Lucerne.
Lucerne Festival Orchestra
The Lucerne Festival Orchestra is composed of renowned soloists and musicians, distinguished music educators, and section leaders from Europe’s top orchestras, who come together in Lucerne for the summer season. During the opening week of the Lucerne Festival, the orchestra performs symphonies. After the season, the LFO tours Europe, Asia, and the U.S.
Its predecessor, the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, owes its existence to Arturo Toscanini, who in 1938 assembled an elite ensemble of celebrated musicians to perform at the legendary Concert de Gala. Sixty-five years later, conductor Claudio Abbado and Lucerne Festival Director Michael Haefliger drew inspiration from this and founded the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, which made its debut in August 2003. In 2016, Riccardo Chailly, another Italian, was appointed principal conductor of this unique ensemble.
Lucerne Festival Academy
The Academy is a master school for contemporary music. Every summer, around 130 young musical talents have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the music of the 20th and 21st centuries for three weeks. In daily workshops and lessons, participants explore selected works by modern composers, develop new scores, and experiment with new interpretations. In return, the Lucerne Festival audience is treated to unconventional programs and witnesses astonishing musical experiences.
"Views from the Top" Podcast
Date
August/September 2027 (exact dates to follow)
Openings
- You can find information about the program on the website.
Price info
- Information on admission prices can be found on the website.
Target group
Individual guests
Adults
Seniors
Directions & Parking facilities
- The KKL is right next to the Lucerne train station and is therefore easily accessible on foot.
Embedded content
Accessibility / Location
Accessible by public transport
Central location
In the city
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