How classical music is born: a trip to the Verbier Festival where the backstage (and the lessons of the stars) is transformed into a show

In the picturesque village of Verbier, nestled at 1,500 meters above sea level in the Swiss Alps, a unique cultural phenomenon unfolds during the summer months. For two weeks in mid-July, the town transforms into a vibrant hub of classical music, drawing together seasoned virtuosos and emerging talents from around the globe. This is the Verbier Festival, entering its 33rd year this season. The festival has become a beacon for classical musicians, featuring performances by renowned artists such as Martha Argerich, Evgeny Kissin, András Schiff, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Simon Rattle, Daniel Harding, Khatia Buniatishvili, Joshua Bell, and Leonidas Kavakos. What sets the festival apart is not merely the presence of these luminaries but the opportunity it provides for audiences to witness the inner workings of musical performance through the Verbier Festival Academy. The academy offers masterclasses open to the public, focusing on a wide range of disciplines including piano, strings, chamber music, and vocal training. These sessions provide insight into the meticulous process behind creating a musical interpretation. At the Cinema de Verbier, baritone Thomas Quasthoff guides young singers from the Atelier Lyrique through detailed critiques of their performances. Each session involves close attention to articulation, gesture, and breath control, elements that shape the emotional depth of a performance. Unlike a concert, where the final result is presented to an audience, a masterclass reveals the ongoing journey of artistic refinement. It captures the moment before the decision is made, offering a glimpse into the creative process rather than the finished product. This approach mirrors the collaborative nature of opera, which relies heavily on the synergy between individual performers and the broader ensemble. After each masterclass, participants return to perform in the Église de Verbier, a historic church with seating for 430 people. Here, they take part in staged performances of operatic arias, culminating in a collective rendition of Libiamo ne’ lieti calici from Verdi’s La Traviata. This piece highlights the importance of community within classical music, demonstrating how individual talent must integrate with others to create a cohesive artistic experience. The emphasis on collaboration challenges the notion that excellence is solely an individual achievement, underscoring the role of mentorship and shared effort in nurturing future generations of musicians. The festival also showcases the development of young orchestral players through the Verbier Festival Orchestra, composed of 98 musicians aged 18 to 28. These musicians undergo rigorous rehearsals and receive guidance from established professionals. When British conductor Daniel Harding leads the orchestra alongside violinist Joshua Bell, it exemplifies the fusion of tradition and innovation that defines the festival's ethos. The combination of technical mastery and expressive nuance on display during these sessions reflects the broader mission of the Verbier Festival, to bridge the gap between the studio and the stage, making the invisible work of musical creation visible to all.