Out & About in Switzerland: Music round the clock in Romont

The Marquis de Saxe will be returning with their blend of ragtime and contemporary jazz. Romont Tourism

There will be little rest for residents of the town of Romont on September 23. Starting at four o'clock in the morning, the streets of the medieval town will come alive with music.

It’s a special event called “20 Hours of Music”. First held in 1996, the organisers have invited nearly 40 musical acts, ranging from French chansonniers to full-blown orchestras, who’ll perform from the wee hours of the morning to midnight.

The event will kick off in front of the Abbey, the oldest building in the western town. Breakfast will be served at dawn, and to ensure everyone is still awake, the Tupa Jazz Quartet will provide the meal’s musical accompaniment.

There will be plenty of jazz during the 20 musical hours. The “After Shave Jazz Band” will perform Duke Ellington numbers and venture into swing. The “Bernie’s Dixie Banjo & Cie” quartet will pound out early jazz melodies on banjo, tuba, washboard and piano.

There’ll also be no shortage of classical music, with the 90-piece “Landwehr” marching band likely to attract the most attention. Formed nearly 200 years ago, it’s the official band of the city of Fribourg and is known for its excellent harmony.

“La Sestina”, comprising a dozen musicians from canton Neuchatel, will be one of the groups dipping into music from the Renaissance.

And then there’s “Attack Vertical”, from Romont itself. Its blend of rock, punk and metal will ensure that music lovers attending the festival won’t forget that they’re living in the 21st century.

For those wanting a short break from the music, a museum in Romont devoted to the art of stained glass is well worth a visit. The “Musée Suisse du Vitrail” showcases stained glass from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance and includes contemporary works.

swissinfo

Out & About in Switzerland is updated regularly to keep you informed of upcoming events, which may provide a different insight into the country and its people.