Russian-Swiss Music Festival Begins Today in St. Petersburg

The first 'Russian-Swiss Musical Dialogue' festival begins today in St. Petersburg. According to Eduard Sorin, the executive director and producer of the festival, concerts will feature performances of works by Bach, Martin, Debussy, Schnittke, Stravinsky, Shostakovich and Rimsky-Korsakov. The festival runs until April 25. 'At the festival people will be able to hear extremely varied ensembles - from duets to quintets,' said Sorin. He added that the most interesting concert would be on April 21. 'This concert will consist entirely of duets by Russian and Swiss musicians. It will be a genuine cultural dialogue,' he said. Swiss Honorary Consul Madeleine Luti said that the festival was the first event in the Swiss Consulate's programme for St. Petersburg's 300th anniversary year. She also expressed the hope that St. Petersburg's public would show a wide interest in 'the musical dialogue between two friendly countries.' The festival is being organised by the Swiss Foreign Ministry, the Swiss Consulate General in St. Petersburg, the St. Petersburg Conservatory's Charitable Fund, and the St. Petersburg Concert Society.