With the founding of the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA, Claudio Abbado fulfilled a lifelong dream: since 2003, members of major symphony orchestras worldwide, soloists, and chamber musicians – all friends of the Italian maestro – have come together each summer in Lucerne to create a large ensemble that shares memorable moments of music making. The Mahler Chamber Orchestra was appointed by Abbado to form the core of this unique orchestra.

For the opening concert of the LUCERNE FESTIVAL 2011, Abbado has chosen works by Brahms, Wagner and Mahler to go with the theme "Night". The Mahler cycle, which will be completed in summer 2012 with his Eighth Symphony, has long been the defining trademark and seal of the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA. This year, the orchestra presents the Adagio from the unfinished Tenth Symphony. It is the last symphonic movement that Mahler has left behind.


Broadcasts
Live broadcast of the concert on the "Inseli" at KKL Lucerne.
Swiss Radio DRS 2 will broadcast the concert live starting at 7:30 pm.
Swiss TV SF1 will broadcast the concert on Friday, 12 August 2011, at 10:35 pm on "Stars live".
ACCENTUS Music will record this concert in co-production with SRF and in collaboration with the LUCERNE FESTIVAL.