Swiss National Orchestra Aims to Create National Sound Identity Through Exclusive Swiss Membership
Established in 2016, the Swiss National Orchestra (SNO) exclusively comprises Swiss musicians. It made its inaugural appearance on Swiss National Day in 2024 at Casino Bern with the performance 'Vivat Helvetia.' The orchestra's first international engagement took place in November 2024 at the Vatican's Festival Internazionale di Musica e Arte Sacra. Founder Igor Longato envisions a 'Swiss sound' that fuses Italian, French, and German musical elements. Unlike the Swiss Orchestra, which was founded in 2018, the SNO performs both Swiss-related compositions and standard classical repertoire. Looking ahead, the 2025 'Vivat Helvetia' concert is scheduled for August 1st, conducted by Jonathan Nott, with broadcasts by SRF and RSI. A DVD featuring a Bruckner recording with Swiss Guard visuals is also on the way.
Key facts
- The Swiss National Orchestra (SNO) admits only Swiss musicians.
- Founder and Intendant Igor Longato established the orchestra to serve as a cultural ambassador.
- The official founding year is 2016, with the debut concert in 2024 at Casino Bern.
- The first international performance was in November 2024 at the Vatican's Festival Internazionale di Musica e Arte Sacra.
- The debut recording features Anton Bruckner's Third Symphony conducted by Ralf Weikert.
- Financial support comes from individual donors, with plans to expand funding and performances.
- Future goals include representing Switzerland at major events like the Olympics or Expo.
- The orchestra aims to create a distinct 'Swiss sound' blending various cultural influences.
Entities
Artists
- Igor Longato
- Ralf Weikert
- Lena-Lisa Wüstendörfer
- Jonathan Nott
- Anton Bruckner
- Gianandrea Noseda
Institutions
- Swiss National Orchestra (SNO)
- Festival Internazionale di Musica e Arte Sacra
- Pontifical Swiss Guard
- Casino Bern
- Opera Zürich
- Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
- Swiss Orchestra
- Andermatt-Konzerthalle
- Radio France
- Orchestre National de France
- Orquesta Nacional de España
- National Symphony Orchestra
- Czech Philharmonic
- Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
- SRF
- RSI
- NZZ.ch
Locations
- Switzerland
- Lugano
- Bern
- Vatican
- Rome
- Italy
- France
- Spain
- United States
- Washington
- Zurich
- St. Florian
- Austria
- Czech Republic
- Andermatt