WHO WE ARE
JOHN AXELROD, CONDUCTOR
An exceptionally extensive repertoire, innovative programming, and a charismatic presence make John Axelrod today one of the most sought-after conductors in the world.
In 2023, Maestro Axelrod became the new Music Director of the Swiss National Orchestra. In 2022, he was elected Principal Conductor of the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to this, John Axelrod has also held the positions of Principal Guest Conductor of the City of Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano "Giuseppe Verdi", and Music Director of the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra and Theater, and Music Director of the
“Hollywood in Vienna” Concerts, with the
Symphony Orchestra of Radio ORF Vienna.
Mr. Axelrod graduated in 1988
from Harvard University.
He also studied with Leonard Bernstein,
as well as at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in the class of Ilya Musin.
From 1994-1995, Mr. Axelrod also worked as the Director of the Robert Mondavi Wine and Food Center in California. This life long passion for wine, food and music has been the inspiration for the IamBacchus.com site, based on a quote from Beethoven, and his cooking videos as TheConductorInTheKitchen.com and these Culinary Concerts.
JEAN-PHILIPPE PATRUNO, CHEF
In the heart of the village of Chardonne, overlooking the lake and mountains,À la Demi-Lune offer a daring and tasty cuisine, composed essentially of local and seasonal products.
The restaurant was awarded 13/20 in the 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 editions of the Gault & Millau guide:
"It's said that wines are best enjoyed where they're produced. At La Demi-Lune, we've learned this adage well. On the menu, often by the glass, you'll find only wines from local producers or from the vineyards overlooked by the restaurant's terrace.
The choice made by the owner, Philippe Verdan, a native of Chardonne, gives a precise idea of the local terroirs. Bottles are also available to take away (without corkage fee). The kitchen is run by Jean-Phillipe Patruno. delivering inventive cuisine that's very Swiss but also influenced by his Spanish, Italian and French background.
As Chef Patruno says: "There is no half-way in the food we offer. If we choose to cook a particular meat, whether a pig, cow, lamb or fish, we use the whole animal to honour this ingredient. What you see is what you get – no hidden gimmicks, no tricks, just skill and pure passion for food and cooking. It’s as simple as that!”
SOLOIST
LADYVA
Ladyva started playing the piano at the age of 14, inspired by the music of the great masters of Boogie-Woogie.
Only two years later she started performing, together with her brother Pascal Silva. Several TV appearances in Switzerland followed: Heitere Festival Zofingen,ZDF-Fernsehgarten, Glanz & Gloria, and many others.
She has also been successful in her second homeland, the Dominican Republic. In 2009 Ladyva released her first album "Vanessa G - The Boogie Woogie Lady". In 2011 she signed to Universal Music.
Ladyva was invited by promoter Rocco Buonvino to perform at Jerry Lee Lewis' 80th Birthday/Farewell U.K. Tour in London and Glasgow in September 2015. On 16 October 2015, she performed live on the famous "The Late Late Show" on RTÉ One in Ireland.
In November, 2016 she toured through Europe, appearing on TV shows in Bulgaria, including Slavi's Show and the election of Miss Bulgaria. In London (Boisdale) she performed at the Cigar Awards with guests including Burt Reynolds and Jonathan Ross.
In May 2016, she was invited to perform at the 'Boogie Woogie & Blues Spectacular' hosted by Jools Holland.
On 12 December she performed again at the Cigar Awards 2016 with guests such as Charlie Sheen and Kelsey Grammer. Further festival performances followed, both in Switzerland and abroad. On 22 April 2017, Ladyva & Silvan Zingg presented their first joint, four-handed CD "Beloved Boogie Woogie".
In August 2017 and 2022 she was invited to perform at the world's biggest Boogie Woogie Festival in LaRoquebrou, France. She has also performed at many Jazz & Boogie-Festivals all around the globe.
On 13 September 2017 in London, Ladyva received the award for 'Best Boogie Woogie Pianist 2017' at the Boisdale Music Awards hosted by Jools Holland, having just released her 3rd album "8 To The Bar".
In November 2017 Ladyva performed at the 'Beatles Symphonic' at the London Coliseum singing the song "Something" accompanied by the London Concert Orchestra alongside stars including Bonnie Tyler.
In 2018 Ladyva was invited to perform live on the famous British TV-Show "Loose Women" on ITV. Later that year she attended again the Boogie-Woogie & Blues Spectacular hosted by Jools Holland, this time with invites such as Hugh Laurie aka "Dr. House" who's a brilliant musician and also a fan of Boogie-Woogie.
Her piece "Quarantine Boogie" went viral on YouTube, which gave her great exposure, and she appeared again in the "Blick", Switzerland's most popular newspaper and TV Show. In the meantime she has more than 200 million views on YouTube. In May 2021 she released her single "Ladyva's Stomp".
On 28 September Ladyva received the 'Boogie Woogie Artist Of The Year' award at the Boisdale Music Awards 2022, hosted by Jools Holland.
In December 2022 she performed with Kool & The Gang at the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
On 8 December 2023 she released her 4th album "Steam Train Boogie".
In November 2024 she performed on Jools Holland's UK tour in prestigious
theaters such as the Symphony Hall in Birmingham and the Royal Albert Hall in London.
PAST PROGRAM: THE SERENADE OF SEASONS WITH ALEXANDRA CONUNOVA: SEPTEMBER 26, 2020
Prize winner of the Tchaikovsky Competition and known throughout the world, for her virtuosity and passion, Alexandra Conunova delighted audiences at the 1st Concerts Culinaires de Chardonne in a program of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires by Astor Piazzolla. The International Orchestra of Geneva performed Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings, under the baton of John Axelrod.
PAST PROGRAM: THE SERENADE OF SEASONS WITH TEODORA GHEORGHIU: JUNE 12, 2021
The 2nd edition, on June 12, 2021, entitled Poetry of Spring, featured soprano and Vienna State Opera star Teodora Gheorghiu in Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs, Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring, Johann Strauss II's Wine, Women and Song, and Debussy's Prélude de l'après-midi d'un faune, with the Geneva International Orchestra, conducted by John Axelrod .
PAST PROGRAM: UNA FÉRIA DE FLAMENCO, WITH JOSE MARIA GALLARDO DEL REY: OCTOBER 8, 2022
Since his début in Seville at the age of nine, Jose Maria Gallardo del Rey has achieved universal public and critical acclaim. As a mature artist with a profound affinity for all aspects of the guitar, he has become a leading authority on the instrument among conductors and players alike, and a soloist in great demand by orchestras throughout the world. Jose Maria and his ensemble, featuring cajon player Roberto Vozmediano and singer Paco del Pozo seduced audiences with their passionate and authentic performance at the 3rd Concerts Culinaires de Chardonne, in a program of his original music and classical flamenco songs,