After the Easter break, theOrchestra of Italian Switzerland returns to the Sala Teatro of the LAC in Lugano with an event scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 8:00 PM. The French conductor is expected on the podium. Joseph Bastian, already a guest in the season last November, called to replace Juanjo Mena, forced to give up for health reasons.
The concert also marks the cellist's return to Lugano Camille thomas, an interpreter increasingly present in the main European seasons.
The program between Latin America and European tradition
The first part of the evening opens with Stay, one of the most famous pages of the Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera, an emblematic example of his energetic language, deeply rooted in South American folk tradition.
This is followed by one of the cornerstones of the cello repertoire, the Concerto in E minor op. 85 by Edward ElgarA work that has entered history also thanks to the interpretation of Jacqueline du Pré, a reference figure declared by Thomas herself.
The charm of the 1710 Stradivarius
The central element of the evening will be the sound of a 1710 Stradivarius, entrusted to Camille Thomas by the Nippon Music Foundation. The instrument, which has passed through the hands of musicians such as Ernest De Munck e Emmanuel Feuermann, represents an example of violin-making excellence that continues to exert a strong appeal on the international concert scene.
The soloist herself described her relationship with her Stradivarius as a dialogue rather than a technical challenge: an instrument that stands out for its brightness, depth and a particularly wide tonal range.
Dvořák and the vitality of the Slavic tradition
In the second part of the program, the OSI tackles Symphony No. 8 in G major op. 88 by Antonín Dvořák, one of the most radiant and vital pieces of the 19th-century symphonic repertoire. The work unfolds across four movements imbued with Czech and Slavic folk elements, translated into a rich and immediate orchestral language.
Collaborations, dissemination and accessibility
The concert is supported by Aziende Industriali di Lugano (AIL) SA and will be broadcast live on RSI Rete Due (rsi.ch/rete-due), confirming the collaboration with Swiss Radio and Television.
The initiative that allows free travel to OSI season concerts via public transport also continues, thanks to the agreement with RailAway FFS and the Arcobaleno fare network.
Information
- Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
- Location: LAC Lugano, Theatre Hall
- Timetable: 20.00
- Programme:
- Ginastera, Stay (dances from the ballet)
- Elgar, Cello Concerto Op. 85
- Dvořák, Symphony No. 8 op. 88
Tickets and details: www.osi.swiss
The melody of this precious Stradivarius will be broadcast to the entire public, thanks to the live radio broadcast on RSI Rete Due (rsi.ch/rete-due)
