Riccardo Chailly obviously feels at home in Lucerne. No wonder: the town on the shores of Lake Lucerne is not only a very idyllic place, it's also home to one of the world's most prestigious classical music festivals, the Lucerne Festival. The Italian star conductor has been music director of the festival since 2016, and his contract was just extended until 2023. This year, Chailly is also conducting the Lucerne Festival Alumni for the first time: the ensemble brings together former members of the festival's own Academy, in which especially gifted young musicians rehearse a sophisticated programme of contemporary music each year. It goes without saying that the Elbphilharmonie belongs on its tour schedule. read less