"Chrigeli, the terror of the yodelling popes" was the headline in "Blick" on 16 June 1993, referring to Christine Lauterburg, a singer who really caused quite a stir in the folk music scene: with her hairstyle, her musical openness - and of course with her great yodelling voice, which even the traditionalists couldn't argue against. The Bernese has long since become one of the remarkable number of grandes dames of Swiss folk music performing at the Stubete am See, which this time has a consistently female focus. Yodellers Erika Stucky and Nadja Räss, singer-songwriter Corin Curschellas and alphorn player Lisa Stoll are also among them. And then there are many other protagonists and ensembles who carry on the innovative momentum - right up to the first feminist yodelling choir, which is causing a sensation with old melodies and new lyrics under the name "Echo vom Eierstock".
The programme was devised by Florian Walser, founder of the "Stubete am See" and clarinettist in the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich. The orchestra itself also contributes to the programme: Together with the soloist trio Ambäck, it will play a 45-minute premiere on 24 August at 2 pm: "Ascht" is the name of the work, which branches out into very different styles, sometimes gnarled, sometimes fresh and green. And, in keeping with the female focus, it will be conducted by Graziella Contratto.
