Menuhin Music Academy facing closure?

The Menuhin Music Academy in Rolle, Switzerland, is reportedly facing a significant financial crisis, according to the Swiss newspaper Le Temps. The academy has a deficit of approximately two million francs, while its budget ranges between 1.8 and 2 million francs. This financial shortfall is attributed to the withdrawal of its sole patron, philanthropist Aline Foriel-Destezet. The situation has led to the resignation of the artistic director, Renaud Capuçon, as well as the president of the foundation board, Charles Méla. Additionally, the academy's website is currently inaccessible.

Founded in 1977 by Yehudi Menuhin and Alberto Lysy, the International Menuhin Music Academy (IMMA) initially aimed to nurture 16 virtuoso students of various nationalities over three years, transforming them into ambassadors of musical excellence. Since 2015, the academy has been based at the Institut Le Rosey in Rolle, with Renaud Capuçon taking over as artistic director in 2019. The academy continues to uphold its founder's vision of developing soloists and chamber musicians who not only embody the humanistic heritage of great classical works but also contribute to global peace through their charisma, harmony, and solidarity.