News 2007

August 2007
On June 21, 2007 the Day of Music was celebrated in over 340 cities and 110 countries in all five continents. I had the privilege to take part in this unique celebration: it was in Lausanne, where over 120 concerts took place at 33 different locations.

Only at the beginning of 2007, I discovered the existence of this fascinating Day of Music, being celebrated since 1982, created by the French Ministry of Culture. Based on a very simple idea, the Day of Music aims to address to the public and all musicians (young and adult, amateur and professional, group and soloist, instrumentalist and vocalitst) a musical and harmonious message. All kinds of music are welcome: classical, folklore, popular, variety, rock, techno, funk-rap, and the list continues. Concerts are often conducted at places unforeseen for music, like the railway station halls, school yards, public buildings and squares; as well as concert halls and religious venues. The Day of Music is celebrated every year on June 21st worldwide, all concerts are free of charge, and musicians play voluntarily.

On July 6, 2007 I gave a recital in Zurich, with which I closed by current season (2006-07) successfully. Now I am enjoying a nice summer,  taking care of my garden and painting some landscapes.

I wish you a beautiful summer and look forward to seeing you again next season at some of my concerts, maybe in October 2007 in Japan or at the Advent Concert early December 2007 in Switzerland.

Yumi Golay

April 2007
Recital <<Gratias>>

Yumi Golay and Dr Bernhard Pestalozzi prepared with enthusiasm their recital “Gratias”, which they presented to the staff of the University Hospital of Zurich. This concert took place on March 5, 2007 in the splendid Semper Aula of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. The programme included arias of Grieg, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Haendel and Italian and Japanese composers. The warm-hearted audience granted a standing ovation to the artists.

Yumi Golay contributed to a worship service prepared by Reverend Christine Marti and Reverend Stefan Morgenthaler at the chapel of the University Hospital Zurich on Sunday 15 April 2007. The service was transmitted by the Hospital radio program. The soprano sang sacred music, and was accompanied at the organ and on the harpsichord by Christina Muller.


February 2007
Since the Advent Concert in Zurich on December 2, 2006, I had the great joy to sing during the Christmas Mass at the Hauterive Abbey (a Cistercian monastery near Fribourg). In the end of December 2006, I also gave a recital in Schinznach Bad.

Yumi Golay


December 2006
The first Advent Sunday was celebrated with music in the Saint Augustine Church in Zurich with Giuliana Stehli-Altwegg, Harpsichord, Alfred Felder, Violoncello, Linda Felder-Hurt, Viola, and Yumi Golay, Soprano. Around 400 persons attended the concert. The audience, already touched by the Christmas spirit, was presented with classical and Japanese music.

After an interruption of more than one year, due to a serious illness, this concert meant a lot to me and it has filled my heart with intense emotion. I wish to express my gratitude to all friends who attended the concert or were present in thought on December 2, 2006, and especially to all those who supported me during this long and challenging period of my life. I offer my encouragement and good wishes to all those who are suffering at the present time.

Amongst my projects for the beginning of 2007, I shall have the immense joy of giving a recital, accompanied at the piano by Dr Bernhard Pestalozzi who treated me with competence and sensibility during my long period of hospitalization. This recital will be dedicated to the medical and nursing staff of the University Hospital of Zurich.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas,

Yumi Golay