We’re pleased to announce the success of the first ever ‘Andermatt Swiss Alps Classics’ festival.

Founder of the festival, Peter-Michael Reichel, is extremely satisfied after the five concerts and six lectures. Already in the first year the festival has exceeded its expectations. "We had expected 700 to 800 visitors, however we welcomed closer to 1000. This was despite Lang Lang, the original star of the festival, having to cancel at short notice."

Igor Levit, who replaced Lang Lang on the opening night, had proved to be a stroke of luck. The transformation of the Multi-purpose hall into a stylish theatre space, the beautiful ambience of the Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul in Andermatt, the mystical Sasso San Gottardo Crystal Hall and the (concert) rooms at the Hotel The Chedi Andermatt were perfect spectacles.

The artistic director of the festival, Prof. Dr. Clemens Hellsberg, was also extremely pleased with the festival week. "Thanks to the outstanding artists, the creative results have fully lived up to expectations. The various performance venues also from an acoustic point of view, proved themselves. The concept of utilising intimate venues and the proximity of the performers to the audience has been a success. The artists behave differently than in the anonymity of a big city."

Igor Levit, Olga Peretyatko, Herbert Lippert, Philharmonia Schrammeln, Isabel Karajan, the members of the Swiss Alps Chamber Ensemble, Emmanuel Tjeknavorian and Maximilian Kromer, all enjoyed performing in Andermatt. It was particularly gratifying and remarkable that despite the ambitious musical programme, the audience was extremely focused and attentive.

Head of the events production, Sandra Reichel, and her team worked hard to implement new concepts regarding this first festival. The smallest details were considered, for the audience every element of the performance should be an experience. It was particularly important to Sandra Reichel that the festival be "anchored in the region": “This has been achieved," she concluded. "This is the case, for example, by the performances of the Cäcilienverein Andermatt and the Alphornbläser. We want to continue the integration of people in the region, it is very important to us. “

"A great start and a lively festival week has created a good foundation for further creative development.” This was the shared view of Founder Reichel and Artistic Director Hellsberg.