The Lucerne Festival

Lucerne Festival 2022: A Resplendent Celebration of Diversity and Musical Excellence

Top Classical, April 2022
In the radiant glow of Lucerne Festival’s 2022 edition, we bear witness to a chapter etched in the annals of musical history—a time when harmony took center stage amidst the resplendent landscapes of Switzerland. This year’s festival unfolded as a triumphant celebration of music’s ability to transcend boundaries and unite souls.

A canvas painted with the hues of international virtuosos and a calendar brimming with concerts spanning from August 9 to September 11—such was the stage set by Lucerne Festival for the summer of 2022. An ensemble of remarkable artists, both seasoned and emerging, converged to weave a tapestry of melodies that would resonate far beyond the Swiss Alps.

The constellation of artists that illuminated the Lucerne Festival stage beckoned the world to engage in a dialogue about diversity. With luminaries like Anne-Sophie Mutter, Lang Lang, Daniel Barenboim, Sir Simon Rattle, Daniil Trifonov, Angel Blue, Elina Garanca, Kirill Petrenko, and Juan Diego Flórez, the festival’s stage transformed into a global forum for artistic discourse.

The 2022 edition of Lucerne Festival embraced the theme of diversity—an overarching motif that reverberated through its myriad performances. This theme was a response to the evolving cultural and social landscape, resonating with institutions worldwide. Notable among these was the Metropolitan Opera’s debut of “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” by Terence Blanchard—an opera by an Afro-American composer. Lucerne Festival, in its own unique way, continued this conversation on its stage.

At Lucerne, the conversation on diversity expanded to encompass not only performers but also composers. The inclusion of voices like Angel Blue, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Morris Robinson, and Elizabeth Llewellyn enriched the festival’s lineup. The innovative “Sinfonía por el Perú,” a musical education initiative for underprivileged youth by Juan Diego Flórez, echoed the festival’s commitment to fostering new talents. Notably, American soprano Angel Blue and multi-instrumentalist/composer Tyshawn Sorey were honored as ‘artistes étoiles’ for the upcoming edition, adding their unique narratives to the symphony of diversity.

The festival’s repertoire resonated with the theme of diversity, featuring works by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Stewart Goodyear, Liza Lim, William Grant Still, Tyshawn Sorey, Florence Price, Valerie Coleman, and Brian Raphael Nabors. These compositions, ranging from traditional to contemporary, formed a rich musical tapestry that captured the essence of diverse traditions and trends.

The festival’s theme of diversity was evident from the very first note, as the opening program featured the Chineke! Youth Orchestra—an assembly of musicians from diverse backgrounds aged 11 to 22. Founded in 2015, the orchestra aimed to provide new opportunities for black and ethnically diverse musicians. Their performance included Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “Otello Suite,” Stewart Goodyear’s “Callaloo Suite,” and Dvorak’s Eighth Symphony. Chineke! would later grace the festival’s closing ceremony, collaborating with acclaimed British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason.

The stages of Lucerne Festival bore witness to a parade of international luminaries. Anne-Sophie Mutter, Lang Lang, Denis Matsuev, Augustin Hadelich, André Schuen, Cecilia Bartoli, Elīna Garanča, and Juan Diego Flórez, among others, adorned the festival with their virtuosity. Their performances, guided by esteemed conductors and augmented by symphonic ensembles from around the world, resonated through the concert halls and into the hearts of the audience.

As the final notes of Lucerne Festival’s 2022 edition faded into the crisp Swiss air, they left behind a resonating legacy—a testament to the unifying power of music. From the rich repertoire to the diverse array of performers, the festival stood as a harmonious reflection of a world that celebrates differences and finds unity in shared melodies.