The CAMERATA BERN will officially open the 2026 Schlossfestspiele Laupen on August 27, 2026, at 20:00, blending European elegance with the vibrant, pulsing rhythms of South America under the direction of cellist Martin Merker, according to the concert schedule published on concerti.de and further detailed by schlossfestspiele.laupen.ch.
A Quarter-Century Musical Retrospective
The upcoming performance at Schloss Laupen marks a direct artistic reflection on a milestone journey undertaken twenty-five years ago. In early October 2001, the CAMERATA BERN embarked on its inaugural concert tour of South America, performing across two weeks in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Rosario, and Buenos Aires. For this special programme titled “Recuerdos – Erinnerungen” (Memories), ensemble member Martin Merker has curated pieces played during that historic tour alongside compositions the ensemble brought back home to Switzerland, as outlined by schlossfestspiele.laupen.ch.
Founded in 1962 and comprising 15 soloists, the ensemble balances deep historical performance practice with contemporary commissions. Over the years, the group has fostered high-profile artistic partnerships, including collaborations with violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja and cellist Steven Isserlis, establishing a reputation for fearless programming that bridges classical tradition with unexpected global influences.
From Haydn to Piazzolla: The Laupen Programme
The uninterrupted, roughly 60-minute concert programme bridges classical European masters with definitive voices of the Southern Hemisphere. The evening opens and closes with movements from Joseph Haydn’s Divertimento in Es-Dur Hob. II:6, framing an eclectic selection of works spanning multiple generations and geographies.
Audiences will experience the Moderato from Antonín Dvořák’s Streicherserenade in E-Dur op. 22, followed by contemporary Brazilian flair through Ernani Aguiar’s Quatro Momentos Nº 3 and Arthur Barbosa’s Frevo and Recuerdos Nº 1. Providing a serene emotional anchor in the middle of the concert is the pastoral intermezzo “Sommernacht” for string orchestra op. 58 by Swiss composer Othmar Schoeck. The program also features quintessential Argentine tango energy through Astor Piazzolla’s “Fuga y Misterio” and José Bragato’s “Saudade” for cello and string orchestra, according to official festival disclosures.
Tickets, Logistics, and Culinary Pairings
Tickets for the opening night are priced at 48 Swiss francs. Beyond the musical performance, attendees have the option to book a dedicated concert menu hosted either directly at Schloss Laupen or at the nearby Restaurant Bären Laupen, where advance reservations are required.
The pre-concert and post-concert dining options feature a market salad with salmon strips for a starter, followed by a main course of pork neck roast with castle potatoes and vegetables, or a vegetarian alternative featuring grilled celeriac. Dessert concludes with traditional burnt cream. Pricing for the castle’s concert restaurant is set at 40 francs for the meat menu and 37 francs for the vegetarian option, while Restaurant Bären prices follow its standard a la carte menu. Tickets and dining reservations are currently available through the official festival channels.
