Le Ascona Music Weeks have reached a milestone that few events can boast: from September 2 to October 23, 2025, the festival will celebrate its 80th edition, confirming its position as one of Switzerland's longest-running and most prestigious events. Founded in 1945, the event continues to combine tradition with an openness to innovation, hosting some of the world's leading performers in the churches of the Collegio Papio in Ascona, San Francesco in Locarno, and—as of this year—also in the Sala della Sopracenerina in Piazza Grande.
The program includes 15 concerts ranging from large orchestras to chamber music, from Baroque to twentieth-century repertoire, not forgetting forays into jazz and musicals. A program that unites different generations and sensibilities, maintaining a dialogue with an ever-expanding audience.
Francesco Piemontesi's Last Direction
This edition marks a significant transition: it will be the last under the leadership of pianist Francesco Piemontesi , who is stepping down after years of artistic direction. For his farewell, he has invited colleagues and friends who have marked his career: among them Gianandrea Noseda , Robin Ticciati , Ton Koopman , Golda Schultz , Sonia Wieder-Atherton , and Maxim Emelyanychev.
The schedule opens on September 2nd with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe , conducted by Robin Ticciati, alongside soprano Golda Schultz, in a program that intertwines 20th-century music with jazz and Broadway atmospheres. A few days later, on September 17th, it will be the turn of the Il Pomo d'Oro ensemble , specializing in performances on period instruments, led by Maxim Emelyanychev and entirely dedicated to Mozart.
Orchestras and great performers
Among the highlights, on September 19th, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra conducted by Gianandrea Noseda will perform Mendelssohn, Schumann, and Beethoven, with Piemontesi at the piano. On September 23rd, the Budapest Festival Orchestra will perform with Iván Fischer and violinist Guy Braunstein, while on September 26th, the Orchestra della Svizzera italiana conducted by Charles Dutoit will perform, accompanied by the Brno Philharmonic Choir and four Swiss pianists, in a wide-ranging journey from Bach to Stravinsky.
On October 23rd, at the closing of the festival, theAmsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir directed by Ton Koopman will propose the oratorio athalia by Handel, thus sealing a historic edition.
Recitals and chamber music
There's no shortage of smaller events, including recitals and chamber music ensembles: the debut of the baroque trio Le Consort (September 10), the four-hand concert by Sir András Schiff and Francesco Piemontesi on Schubert and Mozart (September 29), recitals by Piotr Anderszewski (October 2) and the Quatuor Diotima (October 14). Also noteworthy are the concerts by Sonia Wieder-Atherton with violinist Chouchane Siranossian (September 28) and the ensemble Mala Punica (October 6).
Special events and young audiences
To mark its 80th anniversary, the Municipality of Ascona will offer a free concert on September 14th with the Festival Strings Lucerne . Special attention is being paid to the younger generation: admission will be free for students and apprentices up to age 26. The traditional Family Concert , scheduled for September 27th at the GranRex in Locarno, featuring a production of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker , has also been confirmed.
Information
Tickets range from 20 to 140 francs and are available on Ticketcorner. The entire Ascona Music Weeks program is available on the official website: www.settimane-musicali.ch.
With this 80th edition, the festival not only celebrates an important history, but also looks to the future by reaffirming its mission: to offer Ticino audiences and international guests a musical experience that combines rigor, creativity, and openness to the world.
