6'000 delighted spectators, 230 thrilled performers
The Sion Festival says thank you and see you in 2027
It is with hearts full of joy and gratitude that we look back on these three weeks of the festival, which flew by so quickly but have left a lasting impression on the minds and hearts of those who experienced them with us. We emerge from this festival enriched, transformed and filled with new hope.
Thank you, dear audience, for enriching these moments with your attentive and warm presence, with your encouragement for the performers, and with the emotions you so generously shared.
Thank you to the artists who have enabled us to soar to unimagined heights, to venture into unknown lands, and to reach out to others and to ourselves.
Thank you to our co-artistic directors, Pavel Vernikov and Janine Jansen, for inviting them, for pushing the boundaries and for opening the door to little miracles.
Thank you to the whole team, the volunteers, the stage managers, the maintenance staff… and all those little elves working in the Sion Festival’s workshop to give gifts to the audience.
Thank you to the Foundation Board, our patrons and donors, sponsors, public authorities and partners… without whom these gifts would not have been possible.
It is with a tear in our eye that we bid farewell to this 62nd edition; below you will find some key figures, photos and impressions. We will say goodbye for now and look forward to seeing you next year, from 1 to 15 September 2027, for the 63rd edition!
The 2026 Sion Festival, that was…
- 28 concerts, including 15 free of charge with the day ‘Musique en fête’
- 19 venues
- + 230 artists, of which 2/3 from abroad
- 6’000 spectators
- attendance rate of 89%
- + 220 pupils
- + 5 outreach activities
What delights me most is not the number of people who came, but their diversity. We took the risk of putting side by side a Wagner ‘Ring’ narrated by Julie Depardieu, bagpipes at dawn and great chamber musicians in various venues, and the audience followed us, from one venue to the next. That is exactly the festival we want: demanding and accessible..
Ruth Puhr, Managing Director of the Fondation Sion Violon Musique
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The Philharmonic Brass
What better way to kick off the summer than with a brass concert of this calibre? Renowned musicians from prestigious orchestras, led by a conductor – Tugan Sokhiev – who brought out the very best in the ensemble. The ability to perform such demanding and technically challenging pieces in so many different styles, with such simplicity and naturalness, made listening to this concert an unforgettable experience!
Raynald Mariéthod, Vice-President of the ACMV
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Opening concert
The emotional journey of the opening concert, ‘Espérance’, in the context of an event such as the Crans-Montana fire, was very clear. To accept to see spring in a new light, with the hope of a new lease of life – or perhaps not – of a rebirth after death. For we must be reborn through strength and energy, through gentleness and compassion. It’s taking a long time… Classic Music takes its time; so does life… We learn to walk again, to the rhythm of the heartbeats…
Céline Dessimoz, President of the Valais Grand Council
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‘Musique en fête’ – Dodéca
I think of the countless initiatives and chance occurrences that were needed so that, at that very dawn of 22 August, as they made their way to a basilica at the hour of Matins, a hundred or so people would climb a hill in the dark to join a handful of singing people and experience together a miraculous ritual called music. Shh! Quiet! … the tuning fork… the voices of the Dodéca strike up, sublime…. Valère stretches gently … the angels are not far away …
Roland Sprenger, Chair of the Friends of Sion Violin Music
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Guttman Tango Ensemble
I was deeply impressed by this outstanding performance. Music of incredible intensity, truly remarkable artists, infectious energy and a wonderful rapport between the musicians. It was at once masterful, elegant and deeply moving. A fantastic concert that draws you in from the very first notes and leaves you with a lasting sense of emotion. A huge round of applause to all the performers for this truly exceptional moment!
Biliana Perruchoud, Friend and donor
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Wow
The title of this concert certainly lived up to its name! Neïma Naouri and Pascal Emonet treated the audience to a musical extravaganza born of their meeting and their shared passions. In the Noda Hall, the audience was able to appreciate the clarity and effortless power of a voice whose range and timbre dazzled the listeners. Till Lingenberg’s compositions and arrangements provided La Fanfaribole and the Fanfare du Losange with a playground which they explored with skill and obvious joy.
Jacques Cordonier, member of the SSR Valais Committee
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Rachmaninov and Prokofiev
A musical evening of the very highest calibre at the Noda Hall. The Camerata Chișinău and the Festival Orchestra, conducted by Valentin Uryupin (who also performed as clarinet soloist), delivered remarkable performances, culminating in Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, masterfully performed by pianist Simon Trpčeski — a performance of impressive virtuosity. An exceptional evening in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Fabrice Haenni, Managing Director of Distillerie Morand
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Una Madre
Whilst the actresses shared with us the pain a mother experiences following the loss of her son, the musician, moving along the wires connecting the stripped-back pianos, created a dialogue between bodies that seemed to have been overcome by distance, re-establishing the bonds, on the one hand, between us and the Virgin Mary, and, on the other, between her and her lost son. The beauty of the script, together with the visual and musical elements, contributed to the success of this unusual show.
Caroline et Christine, spectators
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Wagner.Ring
Condensing The Ring into an hour and a half was quite a challenge — and it was a success. The dramatic structure of the tetralogy has been preserved with a lovely sense of flow; The Minui ensemble produced a crystal-clear sound and engaged in a dialogue with Julie Depardieu, who recounted the story without compromising its emotional intensity, but with humour. This format has made the work accessible to an audience who might never have dared to tackle the complete ‘Ring’.
Éléonore Mathier, Friend and donor
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Family concert
It was a very cheerful, colourful concert, brimming with joie de vivre, which delighted everyone, young and old alike. It’s simply incredible what these musicians from the Playtoy Orchestra manage to do with plastic children’s toys – I would never have thought it possible. I also found it really entertaining and touching to see the children dancing and moving to the music.
Annette Kolder, volunteer
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Les Solistes Français
We were particularly impressed by the calibre of the musicians, the virtuosity of the flautist – José-Daniel Castellon – and the wonderful rapport between the performers. The setting of Bramois Church, with its remarkable acoustics and intimate atmosphere, helped to make the occasion even more special. We have fond memories of a harmonious, convivial and deeply moving evening, characterised by a spirit of togetherness and a passion for music.
Collaborators at fidag – Fiduciary
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From Beethoven to Kodály
A colourful programme, as well as a brilliantly executed journey between tradition and modernity. The concert opened with a profound and moving Beethoven trio, which demonstrated the musicians’ deep respect for one another. This is followed by a breathtaking sonata by Kodály for solo cello, by turns frenetic and introspective. To round off the programme, a radiant piano quartet by Brahms. All these different ensembles have enabled us to appreciate each musician and each instrument.
Jérémiah Petit, luthier
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Church Trail
The Church Trail brought this 62nd edition to a spectacular close. The programme, which was exceptionally well-structured, perfectly complemented the atmosphere of each venue. Strolling through the streets of Sion added a real sense of conviviality to the event, encouraging encounters and conversations amongst the spectators. The warm applause from an audience that was clearly won over spoke volumes about the success of this premiere, which I very much hope will be repeated.
Alain Dubois, Head of the Culture Department of the Canton of Valais
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