The 19th edition of the Gstaad New Year Music Festival began with “Great Arias” sung by soprano Rosa Feola, accompanied by Iain Burnside in the lovely ancient church of Rougemont. The next night the fabulous duo of mezzosoprano Elina Garanca and Jonathan Tetelman took to the stage in Saanen Church before a move up to the village church on the hill in Lauenen with the ensemble Les Arts Florissants led by Paul Agnew celebrating Christmas in wonderful harmony. Soprano Lise Davidsen raised her formidable voice to fill in delicate delight the space up to the rafters in Rougemont church …. we could have all “danced all night” with her ….. the “force of nature” that is South African soprano via Juillard New York and now Munich-based Golda Schultz Greco sang the “Theater of Life” via arias and songs in different languages for which you could hear and understand every word – her German was melodic, her English melodic and supreme in Sondheim’s “Could I leave you” – you could believe every character she presented on stage. The festival is the essence of real artistic direction from a musician who loves music and wants to invite others to perform in her festival –

Photo of Caroline with her son Anthoni – credit for use of edited global rights DAVIDNIVIEREphotography Paris