The Kusatsu International Summer Music Academy and Festival in Japan has appointed Michael Haefliger as its new Artistic Advisor. The announcement comes as the festival prepares for its 50th anniversary in 2030.
Michael Haefliger is well known in the classical music world. According to theviolinchannel, he previously served for more than 25 years as the Executive and Artistic Director of the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland. During his time there, he helped grow the festival’s global reputation and launched major projects.
Now, he will help guide the future of the Kusatsu festival. His new role includes leading a plan called the “Three Mountains Project.” This project will connect three cities in Japan: Kusatsu, Takasaki, and Karuizawa.
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Under this plan, Kusatsu will remain the main center for the academy. Takasaki will host large orchestral concerts. Karuizawa will introduce new chamber music programs. The goal is to strengthen the festival’s cultural presence in each city while keeping a clear artistic focus.
Haefliger praised the festival’s strong dedication to classical music. He said he admires its serious and uncompromising approach. He also shared that he feels a personal connection to Japan. His father, the famous tenor Ernst Haefliger, performed in Kusatsu several times. Those visits had a deep impact on him.
During his leadership at Lucerne, Michael Haefliger built strong ties with Japan. He organized the Lucerne Festival Orchestra’s residencies at Suntory Hall in Tokyo. He also helped create the Lucerne Festival Ark Nova project after the 2011 earthquake in the Tōhoku region. That project was developed with architect Arata Isozaki and artist Anish Kapoor.
In addition, Michael Haefliger serves on several important boards. These include the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, the UBS Cultural Foundation, the Pierre Boulez Foundation, the Davos Festival Foundation, and the Foundation of the Swiss Music Youth Competition.
The Kusatsu festival’s leadership believes his experience and global vision will help shape its next chapter. As the festival moves closer to its milestone anniversary, this appointment marks an important step toward growth and international collaboration.
With Michael Haefliger now guiding its artistic direction, the Kusatsu International Summer Music Academy and Festival is preparing for a strong and exciting future in classical music.
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