In summer 2003 Claudio Abbado stood for the first time at the helm of the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA that he had co-founded with executive director Michael Haefliger. The starting point was the grand tradition of the former Swiss Festival Orchestra, which had been an indispensable part of Lucerne’s summer festival since the 1940s, attracting the world's finest conductors until it finally disbanded in the early 1990s.

The first desks of the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA are taken by leading soloists from the international music scene, while its ranks are filled from the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Every summer the orchestra and its soloists mount two symphonic programs and an exclusive series of chamber recitals during the Festival's opening week. Since 2004 they have also made yearly residencies abroad in the world's leading concert halls.

To place this ambitious plan on a solid financial footing, music-loving patrons gathered together to form the Friends of LUCERNE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA (LFO) and to support the orchestra with yearly donations. In return, the members not only receive first options on tickets for all LFO concerts but also the pleasure of a special annual publication, visits to rehearsals, and social events connected with the orchestra. Moreover, their bookings for music tours to the LFO's foreign residencies are given preferential treatment.

For further information on the Friends of LUCERNE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA, please feel free to contact

LUCERNE FESTIVAL
Sponsoring & Development
Christine Rhomberg
Hirschmattstrasse 13
CH-6002 Luzern
t +41 (0)41 226 44 51
f +41 (0)41 226 44 60
c.rhomberg@lucernefestival.ch