Rolex Supports The Arts With Free Concerts

Rolex Supports The Arts With Free Concerts

Martin Green
By Martin Green August 20, 2020

Rolex has always had a great reputation supporting the arts, from cinema to music. In these challenging times, the brand stands side by side with the artists whose work and lives have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. In collaboration with three renowned Rolex Testimonees, tenor Juan Diego Flórez, soprano Sonya Yoncheva, and tenor Rolando Villazón, they bring three, unique concerts as a start of their ‘Perpetual Music’ series.

Rolex Testimonee Sonya Yoncheva
Rolex Testimonee Sonya Yoncheva

Photo Credit: Hugo Glendinning

The cancellation of many concerts has hit the community of professional musicians very hard. With these free concerts, which will be streamed live on Medici.tv and available to watch afterward until the end of October to view, they share the joy of music at a time when it is most needed. Equally important, it also provides income to all musicians participating. This is not the only initiative that Rolex is taking to help musicians, as they are currently also funding artists at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. The three concerts featuring the Rolex testimonees will take place at some of the world’s most sensational music halls. Juan Diego Flórez will be the first on stage at the Teatro Rossini in Pesaro, Italy, on August 21. He is followed by soprano Sonya Yoncheva on September 1 at the Berlin Staatsoper. Tenor Rolando Villazón finishes the series on September 3 at the Palais Garnier in Paris, where he will be joined by acclaimed violinist Renaud Capuçon, who also helped organize these concerts.

Rolex Testimonee Rolando Villazón, in the role of Lucio Silla at the Salzburg Festival in 2013
Rolex Testimonee Rolando Villazón, in the role of Lucio Silla at the Salzburg Festival in 2013

Photo Credit: Monika Rittershaus

“During these difficult times, when musicians have suffered both the loss of audience and income, our aim is to provide them the opportunity to perform with renowned artists at prestigious venues with the finest acoustics,” said Arnaud Boetsch, Rolex Director of Communication & Image. “By broadcasting the concerts via medici.tv, a Rolex partner for over a decade, we are able to give worldwide visibility to the artists supported by the initiative. Significantly, this gift of time and exposure is in keeping with the company’s pursuit of excellence and its long-term commitment to foster the work of those who aim to reach the pinnacle of their profession. Last but not least, within the context of these unprecedented circumstances, this project is also a way for us to help keep music as an essential element in our daily lives.”