Verbier is forced to ‘reimagine’ its festival

Following an outbreak of Covid infections and the sending home of academy members, the 2021 Verbier Festival is being reconfigured two days before its opening.

Here’s the press statement:

July 14, 2021 – VERBIER (Switzerland) — The Verbier Festival is reimagining the programme for its 28th edition, bringing together exceptional artists for more unique encounters and unexpected collaborations. True to the spirit of the Festival, the necessary changes to the
programming have paved the way for even more exciting opportunities for concerts and events, featuring artists who were already programmed to perform in the Swiss Alps this summer.

“Over the years, we’ve created a close family of musicians—a community of artists who come together to make each edition of our Festival truly special,” comments Martin Engstroem, Founder & Director of the Verbier Festival. “It’s because of these close ties that we’re able to
quickly pivot to reshape our programme this summer under these exceptional circumstances. We’re all so grateful to have this family by our side”….

The Festival has made the necessary decision that the Verbier Festival Orchestra musicians can no longer perform at the Festival this year and will instead return home. The positive cases were immediately identified and contained to the VFO, with a period of isolation and quarantine for orchestra musicians that does not accommodate for the ample training and rehearsal time needed for performances. In light of these developments, the productions of La fanciulla del West and Tristan & Isolde (Act II) will be reprogrammed, with solo recitals and exciting collaborations between the 2021 Festival artists.

Safety measures are being reinforced in the Verbier Festival Academy’s other programmes, including the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra, the Atelier Lyrique, and the Soloists & Ensembles Programme. Festivalgoers are subject to contact tracing and physical distancing measures at all events and must wear masks inside all venues.