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The Swiss ensemble CHAARTS was founded in 2010 at the Künstlerhaus Boswil and playfully describes itself as the ‘world’s largest string quartet’. Depending on the project, musicians from across Europe come together in various line-ups. Their repertoire ranges from Baroque to contemporary music. In 2026, CHAARTS was awarded an OPUS Klassik.

For ‘Classical Music meets Meditation’, it is precisely this chamber music approach that is crucial. CHAARTS creates a special connection with the audience. Communication, rhythm, dynamics, as well as tension and relaxation, combine with the body-oriented formats of the journey. In this way, the music becomes a defining part of the programme, adding a special emotional dimension to movement and breathing.

Photocredit: Balazs Borocz

Marlis Petersen is one of Germany’s internationally renowned sopranos. She has been voted ‘Singer of the Year’ four times by the specialist magazine Opernwelt. She received an OPUS Klassik award for her album project Dimensionen: Innenwelt. Her career has taken her to major opera houses and concert halls across Europe and the USA.

At ‘Classical Music meets Meditation’, her contribution goes beyond the traditional classical concert performance. Marlis Petersen is deeply engaged with the voice, breathing and aromatherapy. On board, she leads her own sessions that bring these areas together.

The voice is a physical instrument. Breathing, tension, resonance and emotion shape singing just as much as one’s own body awareness. This creates a special connection between artistic and physical experience.

Photocredit: Yiorgos Mavropoulos

Francesca Guccione is an Italian composer and violinist. Following her classical training, she devoted herself to composition and film music. Her own musical language combines chamber music, contemporary classical music, analogue electronics and atmospheric studio productions. Her music works with repetitions, timbres and open structures. It does not necessarily follow classical dramaturgy, but creates space for an altered perception of time and sound. This is where her particular affinity with meditation lies.

In ‘Classical Music meets Meditation’, Francesca Guccione complements the immediate energy of CHAARTS and the interplay of voice and breath created by Marlis Petersen with a contemporary soundscape. This lends the format a modern perspective that extends beyond traditional classical music.

Unleashing creativity, relaxing, and discovering new things with joy – this is exactly what Thomas Pöllmann's workshops are all about. As an artist and coach, he guides people to experience the art of sketching and watercolor painting in an intuitive and playful way. The workshops provide a relaxed atmosphere where the focus is not on performance or perfection, but on the creative process. There is no right or wrong here, because creativity is not a talent, but rather the ability to play and see what unfolds. In addition to the free and experimental exploration of colors and shapes, Thomas Pöllmann also teaches fundamental skills such as watercolor techniques and perspective. This hands-on approach allows participants to enhance their abilities while also fostering enjoyment in the artistic process. Whether beginners or advanced, the workshops create a space for inspiration and personal development. They are a place where one can relax, let go of control, and explore new paths with ease. Alongside his artistic work, Thomas Pöllmann is passionately involved in environmental projects. Through his art, he has supported numerous initiatives, including collaborations with WaldLokal and Mercedes-Benz, contributing to the planting of over 4,000 trees.