20 Years Lucerne Festival Orchestra – Michael Haefliger's Memories

In the summer of 2023, the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, the de luxe orchestra, which was introduced to the public for the first time on 14 August 2003 under the baton of Claudio Abbado, celebrates its 20th birthday.

This success story would not have been possible without the initiative, perseverance, and passion of Michael Haefliger, Lucerne Festival's Director since 1999. How does he remember the genesis of the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, what are his favourite memories from the last 20 years, and where does he hope to see the orchestra in the future?