The music scene in Basel
No matter your musical taste, we’ve got you covered.
Classical
Most of the major classical concerts are held in the newly refurbished Stadtcasino, just off Barfüsserplatz. This is a magnificent building dating back to 1824 with state of the art acoustics. The main hall accommodates 1,400 whereas the Hans Huber Hall, aimed at Chamber Music, holds 400. The hall is used for a wide range of events and in the past couple of decades the Dubliners and the Buena Vista Social Club have played there. Other classical venues include many of the medieval churches including Martinskirche, Peterskirche and the Münster.
The AMG (Allgemeine Musikgesellschaft), founded in 1876, puts on an annual programme featuring world class orchestras, soloists and conductors. It is possible to subscribe to a range of season ticket offers or to buy tickets for individual concerts.
Basel has many excellent orchestras including Sinfonieorchester Basel (SOB), Kammerorchester Basel, Camerata Basilea, and Basel Sinfonietta.
Opera
Opera in Basel is extremely informal and accessible with tickets normally available for between 10 and 30 Francs. The Opera company is part of Theater Basel, where performances are held. Productions are many and varied and often feature quite innovative stagings. Our very own Bass/Baritone Andrew Murphy from Dublin, has been a leading member of the company for twenty years.
Basel Irish Club is planning to hold opera evenings beginning in September 2021, at which Andrew will give an introduction to the piece and a chance for an after show get-together.
Jazz - Jailhouse Jazz!
The Swiss love jazz and there are many great jazz bands in the area. There is an active jazz club housed in the old prison just above Barfüsserplatz, Bird’s Eye Jazz club. They have 2 sets per evening at 20.30 and 21.45, you pay by the set with concessions for pensioners and students.
There is a huge jazz event held every August (20th August 2021) all over Grossbasel, in the open, called Em Bebby sy Jazz. This has been going on for 37 years and is a very popular event.
Traditional Irish Music
Every second Wednesday there is a trad session in Wohnzimmer, Markthalle. After a hiatus due to Covid, the session will restart in 2021 on the 14th July. The music starts from 8pm onwards and the set list if you want to join can be found in the “about” section of their Facebook page.
Festivals
There are numerous festivals held in Basel and the region. The first (“Stimmen” or “Voices”) is mainly outdoors, primarily in the main square in Lörrach but also in locations around Basel. Going since 1994, it is held in July and has featured major international acts including our own Van Morrison, Kate Dineen, and Sinéad O’Connor as well as Elton John and Mark Knopfler.
The second is a Basel version of the Montreux jazz festival and is usually held at the Messe around October/November, called the Baloise Session. It has a delightful format with seating around tables to which drinks from the bar can be brought to enjoy during the performance. A recent standout here was the Liberties’ star Imelda May as the opener for Chris Rea. This festival has been running for 35 years, and in 2021 will run as a series of virtual monthly concerts, we look forward to its physical return in 2022.
Im Fluss is a unique series of musical performances that take place on the Rhine in September each year (1st September - 18th September 2021). And no, you didn’t read that sentence incorrectly the stage is constructed on the Rhine river (bonus points for those of you who get snapped by the on-stage camera pointing at the passing Rhine swimmers). The event is free but donations are appreciated, just look out for the folks dressed as sailors wielding fishing nets.
A little further afield in St. Gallen, the Irish Openair Toggenburg will take place this year on 3rd and 4th September. Having previously hosted Sharon Shannon, this year the line-up includes Irish bands Bunoscionn and The Kilkennys, as well as other acts. Our local Irish dancing school in Basel the Maguire O’Shea Academy Switzerland will also perform, sure to be a fantastic event.
