This event is in the past.It took place on September 18, 2026 at Chiesa di San Francesco.
Locarno
The opening concert of classicAscona, the newly rebranded festival formerly known as Settimane Musicali. This performance marks the start of three weeks of classical music, masterclasses, and cultural events across the Locarno region.
Julia Lezhneva
Russian-born classical soprano specializing in Baroque and Classical repertoire
Headliner
Julia Lezhneva is a soprano born in 1989 on the Russian island of Sakhalin. She studied at the Moscow Conservatory, the Cardiff International Academy of Voice and the Royal College of Music in London, and has been praised by the New York Times for her angelic voice and flawless technique.
Tölzer Knabenchor
German boys' choir specializing in Bach and sacred choral repertoire
The Tölzer Knabenchor was founded in 1956 by Gerhard Schmidt‑Gaden and quickly became an internationally renowned ensemble, known for its performances of Johann Sebastian Bach’s works and other sacred choral music.
Kammerorchester Basel
Swiss chamber orchestra focusing on historically informed Classical repertoire
Founded in 1984 as "Serenata Basel" by graduates of Swiss music academies, the Kammerorchester Basel now comprises 47 members and presents both early and Classical era works in historically informed performance practice.
Locarno
The opening concert of classicAscona, the newly rebranded festival formerly known as Settimane Musicali. This performance marks the start of three weeks of classical music, masterclasses, and cultural events across the Locarno region.
Julia Lezhneva
Russian-born classical soprano specializing in Baroque and Classical repertoire
Headliner
Julia Lezhneva is a soprano born in 1989 on the Russian island of Sakhalin. She studied at the Moscow Conservatory, the Cardiff International Academy of Voice and the Royal College of Music in London, and has been praised by the New York Times for her angelic voice and flawless technique.
Tölzer Knabenchor
German boys' choir specializing in Bach and sacred choral repertoire
The Tölzer Knabenchor was founded in 1956 by Gerhard Schmidt‑Gaden and quickly became an internationally renowned ensemble, known for its performances of Johann Sebastian Bach’s works and other sacred choral music.
Kammerorchester Basel
Swiss chamber orchestra focusing on historically informed Classical repertoire
Founded in 1984 as "Serenata Basel" by graduates of Swiss music academies, the Kammerorchester Basel now comprises 47 members and presents both early and Classical era works in historically informed performance practice.
Matches these interests
- classical music festival
- world-class soloists
- symphony orchestras
- historic church venue
- Chiesa di San Francesco
- Locarno