The Sion Festival makes "its" city resound: 29 concerts in 17 venues
As every year, we are excited as ‘our’ festival approaches, in a state of joyful effervescence and growing enthusiasm; we are excited too at the idea of unveiling the gems of the new edition, of soon sharing vibrant musical experiences with you.
This year more than ever, the Sion Festival will make “its” city resound. For its 61st edition, from 15 to 31 August 2025, it will take over 17 emblematic and novel venues, venturing as far as the neighbouring stations, before finally taking up residence in the Grande salle at Noda BCVS on the occasion of its prestigious inauguration – at the invitation of Noda BCVS. In all, 29 concerts will surprise the public, including 17 free events during the wellknown “Musique en fête” day, which will be transformed into a 24-hour musical marathon. The diversity of venues will be matched by stylistic diversity, even if so-called ‘classical’ music will have pride of place. The line-up for this second edition co-created by Pavel Vernikov and Janine Jansen includes musicians of international renown, such as Janine Jansen herself, Martin Fröst, Pablo Ferrández, Jennifer Stumm and her Ilumina Ensemble, the Janoska Ensemble, Il Suonar Parlante, Dmitry Ishkhanov, or the Paganini Ensemble Wien. As always, the festival will also rely on established artists from the region, such as Estelle Revaz, Sarah Pagin and Valentin Conus.
Don’t miss this must-see event in the Valais musical summer, and come in great numbers to the capital of the Valais and the surrounding area!
We look forward to welcoming you and wish you an excellent and joyful Summer season.
The team of the Sion Festiva
Boy's choir and 24 hours music with Musique en fête
The St. Florianer Sängerknaben, one of the oldest boys’ choirs in the world, will enchant the public at Sion Cathedral to launch the event, which will then take over the town of Sion to offer music for 24 hours: an unlimited musical immersion between classical and jazz, folk and contemporary popular music. “Musique en fête” will be an opportunity to (re)discover Sion in a different way, from the Cathedral to the castles, from the arcades of the old town to the Pôle Musique.
Vivaldi with Janine Jansen and Janoska Ensemble
Two other sacred sites will serve as backdrops for Sion Festival concerts. In the charming Church of Bramois, Il Suonar Parlante will move from the baroque brilliance of Scarlatti to the mysterious atmospheres of Arvo Pärt, while in the audacious Church of Hérémence, Janine Jansen will invite her friends and talents of the new generation to sublimate Mendelssohn and Vivaldi… and celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Four Seasons. In dialogue with the Festival Orchestra, the Janoska Ensemble will not miss this anniversary either, revisiting a worldwide hit that has continued to inspire artists from all horizons since its publication in 1725.
Young talents illuminate great music
The young Ilumina Ensemble, a group of emerging talents from South America led by Brazilian violist Jennifer Stumm, will bring creativity, freshness and vigour to the great classical repertoire in the brand new Black Box at Pôle Musique. It will build bridges between musical genres, and will offer families an unforgettable musical experience.
Three concerts in all, with three different programmes, including a family concert!
The Sion Festival takes part in the inauguration of NODA BCVS
On 26 August, the Sion Festival will take part in the inauguration of Noda BCVS, which will then become its principal residence. This exceptional evening, details of which will be revealed at the Noda BCVS press conference on 3 June, will seal a fruitful collaboration between the two institutions of Sion and mark a turning point in the city’s musical life.
An orchestra and soloists of renown are expected! Stay tuned for more!
Another highlight with Janine Jansen and Martin Fröst
Another highlight of the 2025 edition will be Janine Jansen’s concert alongside musicians such as clarinettist Martin Fröst and cellist Pablo Ferrández: the promise of a magnificent immersion in the chamber music of Brahms, Dohnányi and Bartók. Noda BCVS will also host the final of the Tibor Varga International Violin Competition, with the participation of the South Czech Philharmonic and soprano Ekaterina Shelehova. They will also join forces with violinist Fumiaki Miura to perform a selection of well-known airs, from Handel to Kreisler.
