The 80th edition of the Settimane Musicali di Ascona came to a successful close with the concert on 23 October, featuring the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra performing Handel’s Athalia.
This year, the festival offered six weeks of diverse programming, comprising 15 events ranging from symphonic concerts and solo recitals to medieval music and grand baroque oratorios, as well as free events for children and the local community.
Audience response was overwhelmingly positive, with nearly 4,500 people attending the various events across the festival's venues – the churches of San Francesco and Collegio Papio, and the Sala della Sopracenerina - marking a 3% increase compared to the previous edition. Two concerts were completely sold out.
Artistically, the results confirm Settimane Musicali di Ascona's position as one of the leading festivals in the Swiss musical landscape. The event continues to stand out for the quality and originality of its programming, offering audiences a rich musical feast of the highest standard — often bold and innovative, and not purely driven by the market. Artistic Director Francesco Piemontesi has pursued this vision with consistency and passion.
One evening in particular stood out: on 29 September, violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja and cellist Sonia Wieder-Atherton performed at short notice alongside Francesco Piemontesi in his farewell concert after thirteen years as Artistic Director. The audience responded with heartfelt applause and emotion, creating an unforgettable moment of warmth and gratitude.
However, Piemontesi is not the only key figure bidding farewell. After many years of devoted service, Francesco Ressiga Vacchini is also stepping down as President of the Foundation. He has held this role since 2015, serving with foresight, dedication and a deep love of music. At its meeting on 24 October, the Foundation Board expressed its profound gratitude and appointed Luca Allidi, an attorney, as the new President.
Settimane Musicali di Ascona would like to thank all the artists, audience members, sponsors, friends and collaborators who contributed to the success of this historic edition. The festival is now looking ahead to its next chapter, which will take place from 18 September to 10 October 2026. This will be a season of major transformation, featuring a new format, new content and a new name. Christoph Müller will be taking the helm as the festival's new artistic director, joining Ascona after 24 highly successful years at the Menuhin Festival Gstaad.
Details of this exciting new chapter - promising an equally extraordinary musical experience — will be announced at the end of January 2026.
