Entertainment

What does swing sound like in the Berlin of the 2020s? And amid big-city lights, nightlife, and endless nights, is there still room for true romance? Björn Bergmann brings the glamour of the Roaring Twenties into the present day — modern, urban, and infused with effortless charm. Inspired by the timeless elegance of entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, he blends classic swing with the spirit of contemporary city life. He calls his sound “Urban Swing”: stylish, uplifting, and irresistibly vibrant. Through his songs, Björn Bergmann captures longing, freedom, and the subtle absurdities of modern life. His album First World Problems, released on May 3, 2026, carries a clear message: individuality matters more than perfection. Whether performing on radioeins, at the Arosa Jazztage, at Deutsches Theater München, or Berlin’s Frannz Club, Björn Bergmann captivates audiences with charismatic stage presence, sharp wit, and a band that radiates energy. An evening with him combines the elegance of a bygone era with the pulse of a new generation of swing.

Photocredit: Ben Wolf

Heiko Antoniewicz is one of Europe’s most renowned culinary innovators. As a chef, author, consultant, and lecturer, he is known for forward-thinking culinary concepts, a deep understanding of flavors, and creative product development. His award-winning books and workshops inspire top chefs, businesses, and food enthusiasts around the world.

Experience exclusive masterclasses aboard the MS Europa with Heiko Antoniewicz, one of Europe’s most influential culinary innovators. He has been recognized six times by the gastronomy industry for his pioneering work. These milestones continue to drive his passion for innovation and inspire him to constantly explore new approaches to modern cuisine.

Designed for top chefs, culinary professionals, and discerning food enthusiasts, the masterclasses offer exciting and entertaining hours on board.

Sharing his knowledge is one of Heiko Antoniewicz’s greatest passions. During these exclusive sessions, you will have the opportunity to learn directly from him, explore the individual topics in depth, and discover the techniques, ideas, and culinary insights you have always wanted to know more about.

British-Polish violist, Alinka Rowe has a varied and versatile career. She regularlyperforms across the UK and Europe, playing at venues such as Wigmore Hall, KingsPlace, Konzerthaus Berlin and the Royal Albert Hall. Alinkaappears at festivals includingMusikdorf Ernen, Swaledale Festival, Wye Valley Chamber Music Festival, Mendelssohnon Mull and Lewes Chamber Music Festival. She has enjoyed concerto performances atthe Royal Festival Hall and St John’s Smith Square, and is regularly invited as guestprincipal in orchestras including Aurora Orchestra, Kammerorchester I TEMPI andBritten Sinfonia. A deeply committed chamber musician, she is a member of the award-winning Talos Quartet, formed in 2023 and is also the co-founder of VOLTAKammermusikfest, an international chamber music festival based in Basel, which hasbeen praised for its atmospheric and innovative way of presenting music. She hascollaborated with artists such as the Jerusalem, Brodsky and Doric Quartets, PatriciaKopatchinskaja, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Adrian Brendel and Steven Isserlis. Alinka hasrecorded for Decca Classics with the Cassadó Ensemble.

Philipp Scheucheris regarded as one of Austria's leading pianists of his generation. Acclaimed for his charismatic stage presence, refined artistry and captivating performances, he appears regularly in prestigious venues including the Vienna Musikverein, Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie, Leipzig Gewandhaus, Berlin Philharmonie and Konzerthaus Berlin, as well as at major international festivals across five continents. Equally at home as a soloist and chamber musician, he performs with distinguished orchestras while maintaining an active international chamber music career. His artistic achievements have been recognised with numerous international awards, including Second Prize at the International Beethoven Piano Competition Vienna and the Beethoven-Haus Prize in Bonn. Alongside his acclaimed recordings, he is deeply committed to contemporary music and collaborates closely with leading composers of our time. Since 2022, he has also been a member of the internationally successful crossover ensemble SYMPHONIACS, combining classical music with electronic sounds for audiences around the world. Alongside his international performing career, he teaches at the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz and is an official Bösendorfer Artist.

Photocredit: Andrej Grilc

Born in Brighton, UK, German-Turkish violinist Ayla Şahinis active as a soloist, chamber musician, and artistic director across Europe and beyond. She is a prize winner of numerous national and international competitions, most recently winning Switzerland’s Kiefer Hablitzel|Göhner Musikpreis 2026, 1st Prize and the Beethoven Prize at the2025 Schoenfeld International String Competition, and 1st Prize at the 72nd Royal Overseas League Competition(2024) with Trio Archai. A sought-after performer, Ayla has appeared at major international venues and festivals including Wigmore Hall, Heidelberger Frühling, Tivoli Vredenburg, Kings Place, Stadtcasino Basel, St George’s Bristol, Yellow Barn,O/Modernt Winter Festival, Swiss Chamber Music, Schaffhausen Klassik, Schiermonnikoog, NUME, and the Dresdner Musikfestspiele. She has collaborated with artists such as Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Nicolas Alstaedt, Alena Baeva, Timothy Ridout, and Claudio Martinez-Mehner. Driven by a belief that classical music should speak to contemporary audiences, Ayla is the co-founder and artistic director of VOLTA Kammermusikfest, an annual international chamber music festival in Basel. Through imaginative programming and an unconventional performance space, the festival creates intimate encounters between artists and audiences. At the age of fourteen, she was admitted as a full scholarship Junior Student to the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she went on to complete her Bachelor’s degree under Jack Liebeck in 2021 with the highest distinction (First-Class Honours). In 2024, she completed her Master’s degree at the Musik-Akademie Basel under Rainer Schmidt and Zoltán Fejérvári, and after graduating with the highest possible marks, she was awarded the Brambilla Prize for the most outstanding Master’s violin recital at the Musik-Akademie Basel.

The acclaimed Spanish-Taiwanese cellist Mon-Puo Lee has established a distinctive international career as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator, celebrated for his sensitive sound and imagination. After winning top prizes at the Isang Yun and George Enescu competitions, he debuted at the Berlin Philharmonie at age 22 and has since performed in major global venues across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. As a soloist, he has collaborated with prestigious orchestras, including the Berliner Symphoniker, under renowned conductors like Michael Sanderling. Lee has received numerous international accolades, including titles like "Extraordinary Musician" in Madrid and "Ambassador of Culture" in Taiwan, alongside honors from Queen Sofía of Spain. Also a dedicated chamber player, he spent three years with the Kelemen Quartet and has partnered with prominent artists worldwide. Born into a Taiwanese artistic family in Madrid, he studied extensively in Spain and Germany, and currently pursues postgraduate work and artistic improvisation in Basel.