Arts Global

Friends of the Foundation were awarded a holiday treat this December. The International Headquarters of Swiss Global, in Montreux, served as the venue for a Christmas soirée of music and cocktails. With notable performances by Amir Farid piano, Laurence Meikle baritone, Sean Rouane tenor and the Trio Nota Bene (Julien Zufferey, Xavier Pignat and Lionel Monnet), the 60+ guests experienced an unforgettable evening.

Professional photography for the event was provided by Jean-Philippe Daulte. Please click the underlined date for photos.

The Jours des Arts festival, known for its world-class musicians, stimulating lectures and sumptuous cuisine, all nestled in an idyllic setting, presented its fourth edition in September. Entitled Impressionism and Beyond, this year's festival, perched high in the Swiss Alps in the picturesque town of Glion, was rated afterwards as the best thus far. With panoramic views of Lake Geneva from the salons and dining room of Hotel Victoria, the guests were treated to international performers and speakers representing the United States, Australia and many countries of Europe. In attendance were guests from around the world and also local members of the Friends of the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation, including the family of Dr François Rebstein, for whose untimely passing a special concert was dedicated.

While Debussy and Ravel naturally featured prominently in the recitals and discussions, a range of composers from the pre- and post-impressionist periods were also explored. Musicians included pianists Jay Gottlieb, Stephen Delaney and Antoine Rebstein (piano left hand), violinist Elizaveta Shnayder, harpist Isabelle Perrin and tenor Matthew Garrett. Antoine Rebstein is the son of the late Dr François Rebstein.

Lecturers, covering topics spanning visual art, music, architecture and history included composer Prof. Emeritus Barry Conyngham, musicologist Dr Peter Tregear, journalist Michael Green, art dealer Richard Philp and art historian Patricia Zazzali. The fine dining experience was further enhanced, not only by fine Swiss wines, but in the evenings, serenades performed by tenor Matthew Garrett and pianist Stephen Delaney.

For photographs and further information about Jours des Arts IV, as well as a review by renowned critic Bernard Jacobson, please click on the underlined date above.

Jours des Arts V, also at the Hotel Victoria, is scheduled for April 2008.

Don Pedro Serra, eminent Majorcan media leader and Chairman of Grupo Serra, donated a collection of significant Spanish lithographs to the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation. The magnanimous gift was in recognition of the Foundation's continuing efforts in promoting the careers of exceptional young performers and artists. The Foundation's Director and Founder, Heather de Haes, received the works at a private ceremony at the Swiss Global headquarters in Montreux, with several prominent local and international arts supporters, including Mariano Isasi, Executive Director of The Balearic Symphony Orchestra of the City of Palma, Majorca, in attendance. The presentation was complemented by a celebratory dinner at the Hotel Victoria in nearby Glion, where Don Pedro Serra was formally welcomed as a new Patron of the Foundation.

Musical interludes throughout the evening were furnished by Swiss Global artists Elizaveta Shnayder, a Russian violinist resident in Zurich, American tenor Matthew Garrett, and Australian pianist Stephen Delaney of Vienna. The soirée also marked the debut performance of the Foundation's new Bösendorfer piano.

Click the date above for photos and press clips.

The Swiss Global Artistic Foundation supported Advisory Board Member Jay Gottlieb's appearance as solo pianist when the Northwest Mahler Orchestra introduced Messiaen's Turangalîla Symphony to Seattle at Benaroya Hall.

The ondes Martinot soloist was another Paris-based musician, Thomas Bloch.

Please click on the underlined date above for further information. For reviews of the concert, see the Press section.

Over past seasons, the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation has presented Delphine Gillot soprano, Lei Weng piano and Hahn-Bin violin in highly acclaimed performances in Seattle with the Northwest Mahler Orchestra.

Click on the date above for this season's programme details.

The annual Master Class at the historic Playhouse in East Hampton, New York for musicians from eastern Long Island high schools, given by the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation's Artistic Director Geoffrey Simon.

The class is followed by a demonstration recital by a Foundation artist and the presentation of the Elizabeth Brockman Awards to two students demonstrating outstanding aptitude and promise.

In collaboration with the Swiss Ambassador to London, HE Alexis Lautenberg, and the Swiss Cultural Fund in Britain, the Foundation presented Creative Moments by the Shores of Lake Geneva.

Click on the date above for the full programme.

Montreux; cocktails and a recital of operatic arias.

The acclaimed young American tenor, Matthew Garrett, was introduced
to the Friends of the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation.

Click on the date above for further information.

Massenet and Friends An Evening of Operatic Highlights was presented in Basel by the Basel Festival Orchestra, Thomas Herzog, Music Director. The Foundation supported the appearances of four of its fine young singers.