Could there be a composer who more aptly exemplifies the Festival’s “Open End” theme than Pierre Boulez? He saw his compositions as “work in progress,” often taking them up over and over to rework and enrich, and even continuing to add to what he had already done. Take his sole string quartet, which traverses nearly his entire career. Boulez had already completed a first version of the Livre pour quatuor when he was just 23 years old. But he introduced it over the following years only hesitantly, movement by movement, revising the work and even withdrawing it for a time. The fourth of the six movements remained a mere sketch until Boulez’s death. Irvine Arditti, the legendary first violin of the eponymous quartet, commissioned the French composer Philippe Manoury to complete it after Boulez’s death. In Lucerne, this “book” for string quartet will be juxtaposed with a major work by composer-in-residence Marco Stroppa, whose Spirali projects the sonority of the string quartet using several loudspeakers. The result is a “sound sphere” that envelops the audience, with the musical material unfolding in constant motion as it seems to form a spiral.
Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Luzern
Europaplatz 1
CH-6005 Luzern
Arrival | Parking Facilities
The KKL Luzern is located right next to Lucerne railway station. On account of the traffic and parking situation, it is recommended during Festival season that visitors use public transportation.
Arriving by train & bus
Take advantage of a 40% discount on public transport to Lucerne. You can find more Information here: to the SBB offer.
Arriving by Auto
Lucerne has a dynamic system to indicate parking availability that makes parking in the city easier for you. You can find a list of all parking garages in the City of Lucerne here: see List.
P+Rail
Various train stations outside the City of Lucerne have a Park & Ride offer for those traveling by train to Lucerne. The following train stations, which have abundant parking spaces, are especially handy: Sursee, Rotkreuz, Zug, Wolhusen, Arth-Goldau, and Sarnen.
Flying to Switzerland
Reserve your flight directly with SWISS , the Official Airline of Lucerne Festival.
Concierge Service for Your Travel Planning
Do you prefer to have your trip planned, with an emphasis on the “extra” in service? Then the travel experts at Bucher Reisen are readily available to help you.
Cloakroom
There are coat checkrooms not only in the basement, but also on the 2nd and 4th floors. Handbags up to a size of 42 x 29.7 x 29.7 cm (A3) may be taken into the concert hall. All larger bags and luggage as well as other bulky items must be checked for a fee of CHF 5.00 per item. For security reasons, coats and jackets may also not be taken into the concert hall and can be left at the checkroom free of charge.
Wheelchair seating
Wheelchair spaces with a good view of the stage are available at special rates in Lucerne Hall at the KKL Luzern. We cannot guarantee that the person who is accompanying will be assigned a seat in the same price category and directly next to the wheelchair seat. Level entrances provide direct access to the foyer and to Lucerne Hall at the KKL Luzern. Wheelchair-accessible toilets are located by the checkrooms in the basement, which can be reached by elevator.
To reserve wheelchair spaces please call our ticket sales office directly at +41 (0)41 226 4480. Wheelchair spaces are always made available as soon as online ticket sales begin but can only be reserved by telephone.
Access to venues | Late admission
Doors open 30 minutes before the concert begins for events in Lucerne Hall at the KKL Luzern. Out of consideration for the musicians and the audience, late visitors will be admitted only during intermission or at the discretion of the hall staff. For some concerts, there may be no late admission and no intermission. If a concert is missed due to late arrival, the ticket cannot be refunded.
Gastronomy
In the KKL Luzern
In the mood for a cocktail at the Seebar? Coffee and fine pastries at the Le Piaf? Or would you prefer a multi-course menu in the Gault MiIlau-rated restaurant Lucide? The culinary possibilities in the KKL Luzern are many and varied. Before the concert begins, you can reserve your drinks and snacks for intermission at the KKL information desk in the main lobby of the KKL Luzern. Overview of the restaurants
In Lucerne
Within walking distance of all event venues you can find a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and cafés. The Lucerne Tourism office will gladly assist you in making your selection. Overview of Lucerne Tourism
