Festivals & events

Type

Chamber music festival (winter)

Address

Temple de Vers-l’Église, Ormont-Dessus (Les Diablerets)

Since 1970 the Festival Musique & Neige has offered chamber-music concerts through the winter season, in Les Diablerets and the neighbouring hamlet of Vers-l’Église, chief village of the commune of Ormont-Dessus. Recitals, sonatas, trios and quartets, of classical and contemporary works alike, are given by first-rate artists at deliberately affordable prices. The festival lives on its volunteers, its faithful audience and a few patrons.

Musique & Neige: half a century of winter concerts

An idea of Sir Peter Ustinov

The festival was born in 1969. Sir Peter Ustinov, the British actor, director and writer then living in Les Diablerets, suggested holding concerts in the magnificent setting of the church of Vers-l’Église. From 1970 the idea became a winter fixture, and its success has held for more than half a century.

The guiding thread of the successive artistic directors has not changed: to offer music lovers first-rate artists at affordable prices, in an atmosphere of simplicity and warm welcome.

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Eight concerts, and an afternoon for children

Each season opens on 1 January with a concert at the Maison des Congrès in Les Diablerets; the seven others take place in the church of Vers-l’Église, a few minutes away.

Introducing young people to music matters to the committee: a discovery afternoon is offered, led by the musicians of the evening concert, where the children of the valley and passing guests meet the artists and see the instruments up close.