01 September 2003
Dear Friends, and new Friends,
Autumn has arrived--at its usual surprising speed--and with it, the opening of the final phase in the Foundation's programme for this year, which is turning out to be even more fulfilling and rewarding than we had hoped for at the start of the year, with a series of memorable events fully meeting--and even exceeding--our highest artistic expectations. At the same time, the social side has been a special joy, with convivial international gatherings of kindred souls in often unusual surroundings giving the ideal atmosphere for the performances and allied activities.
Your enthusiastic support of and participation in these events has been of immense help in furthering the principal aim of the foundation in supporting young artists and performers in various fields at the beginning of their professional careers. We have been greatly encouraged by the positive attitude, the helpful suggestions and contacts and the generous donations, as well as the practical help given us by so many people and various sponsors in the staging of the events.
We enclose with this newsletter a renewal form for your subscription for existing Friends and a membership form and subscription for the new members of our ever widening circle, a gratifying number of whom have already been able to attend some of the recent events this year. Please do not hesitate to recommend to us anyone of your acquaintance who you feel would enjoy the benefits of membership.
We also include an invitation for the inaugural event of the U.K. section of the Friends in London next month. Of which more later. Several of our Swiss-based members have already informed us of their intention to be present and we will be delighted to see as many of you there as possible, since the "Anglo-Suisse" of our Foundation's name is no empty title, but a living reality.
Quickly looking back over the year so far, we began our 2003 activities with a reception in the Jenisch Museum, the Vaud cantonal collection of engravings in Vevey. The lively private guided tour of the exhibitions of helio engravings and those of contemporary Swiss artist Henry Meyer was rounded off with some hot jazz to warm up the coldest time of the year--perhaps a foretaste of things to come!
Another outstanding museum, l'Hermitage in Lausanne, was the lovely setting for a memorable Maytime event, in conjunction with the Victor Salvi Foundation. We were honoured to organise the first artistic performance in the newly opened hall. The evening had a Chinese flavour, since after the cocktail reception, the featured artists were harpist Jessica Li Zhou and cellist Ying-Jun Wei, and their recital was followed by an absorbing lecture followed by a private viewing, by Frank Dunand, former curator of the Baur Museum, Geneva, of the exceptional Chinese porcelain artworks from the Vergottis Donation, now housed in the new wing of the museum.
Also in conjunction with the Salvi Foundation, the world's leading organisation for the promotion of the harp, the concert at London's Wigmore Hall in June was an outstanding occasion, seeing as it did the eagerly awaited British debut of the 15-year-old Russian harp prodigy Varvara Ivanova. In collaboration with flautist Neil McLaren and a very in form London Chamber Orchestra under the sensitive baton of Geoffrey Simon (an advisor to the Foundation), the near sell-out event, attended by several of our Swiss-based friends, drew many critical plaudits and we are hoping to repeat it in another venue shortly (possibly in New York).
The majestic medieval Château de Lucens in canton Vaud, is not open to the public, but was kindly loaned to us by the owner for another equally remarkable June event. The gourmet buffet lunch under the trees in the courtyard was followed by a superb and unusual recital by the talented young Swiss pianist Antoine Rebstein. Shortly before the recital, Antoine injured his right hand in an accident, but rather than disappoint all those who had been looking forward to hearing him, courageously offered to perform with a programme of works for the left hand only. The result was a remarkable blend of pianistic artistry and physical determination, whose memory will long linger with all those privileged to be present. An exhibition of recent works by the Swiss-based English artist David Maude-Roxby Montalto set the seal on a truly outstanding occasion.
Looking ahead to the rest of this year, we are collaborating with the Global Art Source Studio, Zürich Feldmeilen, in an event there on September 25th. The Foundation is sponsoring a recital by the young Swiss harpist Isabelle Steinbrüchel, who has begun her professional career with a real flourish.
The launch of the UK section of our Friends will be marked by an outstanding event at Sotheby's in London on October 16th. This will take the form of a champagne reception and a concert with leading young musicians, and Lord Poltimore, a member of our advisory board and a director of Sotheby's, will give a lecture on Italian contemporary art.
Then on December 4th, we return to Switzerland's sunny corner of Ticino, for another event in collaboration with the Villa Principe Leopoldo, with whom we organised such a memorable occasion last year. Full details of the event, the participating artists and an invitation will be sent to you in due course and we hope that many Friends will be able to join our patrons, Sir Peter and Lady Smithers, Ticinese members and invited guests in this truly lovely setting, a final bouquet on a flourishing year's activities. And next year is already promising to be even better!
Warm wishes and welcome to our new members,
Heather de Haes