Verbier festival

[french frank]

I think there has been some coverage of this on R3 in the past.

They always send me the glossy prospectus, complete with advertisements for Julius Bär, Rolex and expensive looking château estate wines, and it's always seemed a bit of a clique round Argerich, Kissin and a few others (a very classy clique).

This year, I see Terfel, Llyr Williams, Stephen Hough and our (ex-)very own Noseda are there, plus the usual stars. Llyr Williams commands £27 for his recital, and that's the bottom price for concerts.

Will anyone admit to having been? (I don't suppose R3 can afford it now)

[Richard Tarleton]

You can catch Llyr Williams for a mere £17.50 at Rhosygilwen here in Pembrokeshire on April 23, and not a Rolex in sight

Mrs Terfel must have relaxed the rules a bit for Bryn to be away for that long.

Seriously it's probably the only way to see Argerich live - she's bound to turn up for her own festival

[french frank]

Seriously it's probably the only way to see Argerich live - she's bound to turn up for her own festival

Well, at least two ex-Mr Argerichs will be there too. Let's hope they were amicable splits.

[Pianorak]

Well, at least two ex-Mr Argerichs will be there too. Let's hope they were amicable splits.

Er - Charles Dutoit and Stephen Kovacevich (was No. 3 husband and is not listed on the programme) - so who is the other one? Just being nosey!

[french frank]

Er - Charles Dutoit and Stephen Kovacevich (was No. 3 husband and is not listed on the programme) - so who is the other one? Just being nosey!

Kovacevich is down to play in the printed brochure, 24 July, Beethoven, Sonatas Op 10/1 and Op 110, and Schubert D960. In the church at 8pm, if you can make it. Sfr 75 (about £50). Dutoit conducting two concerts with the Verbier Festival Orchestra.

[Pianorak]

Thanks, ff - putting my mind at rest . Haven't got the printed brochure.

[french frank]

Thanks, ff - putting my mind at rest . Haven't got the printed brochure.

And coincidentally, one of Dutoit's concerts is with Buniatishvili (Rach. 3), plus she has a solo recital. She seems to have been earmarked as the new generation of stars.

[Pianorak]

And coincidentally, one of Dutoit's concerts is with Buniatishvili (Rach. 3), plus she has a solo recital. She seems to have been earmarked as the new generation of stars.

I'm not surprised. Argerich is her sponsor and Kovacevich one of her teachers. Rach 3 should suit her down to the ground. Today's lunchtime recital on R3 was a bit of a disappointment IMV, although I'm convinced she has the potential to be among "the new generation of stars".