Verbier Festival

I first heard about the Verbier festival at a post concert talk by Steven Isserlis at the Melbourne Recital Centre he raved about making music in the Alps. So we decided to included it on our trip.
The Verbier festival is now 20 years old. It has grown from strength to strength and now there are a huge variety of free and ticketed events from morning til night. One of the philosophies is that renowned established musicians teach the next generation. Some musicians return year after year and collaborate in 'original chamber music'. There is also a huge program of jazz, children's and youth discovery, a Verbier Festival Orchestra, a 'music camp' for talented young musicians 15-17 years old, all in an idyllic setting in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

We wandered along to Verbier this morning and were lucky enough to catch one of the free concerts given by the Festival Academy. Breakfast of fresh pain du chocolat was laid on at the beginning which was particularly popular with the kids. It was a wonderful experience and a shame the kids attention span didn't allow us to see anymore! Also lots of Porsches, BMW's and Bentleys in evidence in this well healed Swiss town.