The French artist heads the Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad from its 2016 edition

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French violinist Renaud Capuçon has been appointed artistic director of the Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad festival in Switzerland from 2016, succeeding founder Thierry Scherz, who died in July. Capuçon’s first programme, designed in collaboration with Scherz’s co-founder Ombretta Ravessoud, will take place from 29 January to 6 February.

‘I am very happy to be associated with the Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad and to programme music for this beautiful place,’ said Capuçon. ‘I look forward to this new adventure.’

Launched in 2001, the annual winter celebration of classical music takes place over nine days, offering concerts by young and established artists. Since 2002, the festival has also provided the opportunity for a young artist to record his or her first album with a symphony orchestra on Onyx Classics.

Capucon, who records exclusively for Virgin Classics, directed his own festival, the Rencontres Artistiques de Bel-Air, at La Ravoire near Chambéry from 1996 to 2010.

Photo: Mat Hennek

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