A sold out 79th edition and mission to popularise classical music accomplished

For the second year in a row, Classic Lab, a creative laboratory of young talent and renowned artists, found its wide and diverse audience, using new and unique formats to hit the right note.

“Classic Lab is now firmly part of the festival’s DNA. For the second year in a row, all our concerts completely sold out, enabling us to accomplish our mission of making great music accessible to all generations and all audiences, which I am delighted about,” says Mischa Damev, director of the festival.

True to its mission – to popularise classical music, promote artistic excellence, offer a special place to young people and encourage creativity and innovation – the festival also continued its Septembre Musical Jeunesse programme for young people, in partnership with Nestlé. The programme enabled more than 1,300 schoolchildren from the region to enjoy a high-quality musical experience. A concert for families was also organised by the festival and Nestlé, taking place at the company’s headquarters in Vevey.

“This edition was proof that classical music can appeal to an ever-wider audience. Septembre Musical is establishing itself as a key cultural player in Switzerland,” says Laurent Maire, president of the Fondation du Septembre Musical Montreux-Vevey.

The next edition, which will mark the festival’s 80th anniversary, will be held from 9 to 18 September 2026. It will also see the legendary Auditorium Stravinski in Montreux welcomed back into use after two years of transformation works.