Opera for Peace Academy 2026 – Lugano with Kamal Khan

On the very first day of the Opera for Peace Academy 2026 – Lugano, our Co-Founder and Artistic and Musical Director, Maestro Kamal Khan led a masterclass at LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, setting the stage for the upcoming Gala Concert with the OSI – Orchestra della Svizzera italiana.
 
Working closely with our Academy artists, Kamal focused on the musical and interpretative details that bring a performance to life, highlighting the importance of tempo and the delicate balance between concentration and tension. One of his most memorable reminders was simple yet powerful: “Don’t confuse tension with concentration.” A thought that speaks to the importance of remaining focused, present and connected to the music.
 
And, in a lighter moment, he reminded our singers not to forget to enjoy their own performances. After all, if you take pleasure in what you do, at least one person in the audience is guaranteed to be happy.
 
We are deeply grateful to have the Maestro as a permanent part of the Opera for Peace family, and for the dedication, guidance and invaluable work he shared with our artists throughout the week. His commitment to make our singers strive for excellence and discover new dimensions of their craft, was an essential part of their journey towards the Gala Concert.
 
The 5th Opera for Peace Academy in Lugano was made possible thanks to the valued support of our main sponsor BNP Paribas Foundation.
 
 
Photo Credit: Michel El Ghoul