Glashütte Original and the Dresden Music Festival

Mariza with 12th Glashütte Original MusicFestivalAward

The June 7, 2015 was a final day of the Dresden Music Festival. During the whole festival, over 1500 international artists were performing their effective talents on the stage.


The Glashütte Original is the partner of the Dresden Music Festival and the 12th award trophy was built by two apprentices from the Saxon watchmaker's "Alfred Helwig" School of Watchmaking.

The crowning of the whole event was an unusual concert by Portuguese Fado singer - Mariza, who performed before an enthusiastic audience at the Albertinum. After the concert, the artist has received the mentioned earlier 12th Glashütte Original MusicFestivalAward, which was presented to her by Dresden Music Festival Director - Jan Vogler and Glashütte Original CEO - Yann Gamard. The two apprentices, who were involved in creating this year's award joined the artist on stage for the ceremony also.

The presentation of the 12th Glashütte Original MusicFestivalAward to Mariza

„It is a great honour for me to receive this award today,” said Mariza. “I’m particularly happy as this puts the focus on a traditional form of music in my country. I would like to see the Fado tradition become more widely known, especially among the younger generation around the world. I wish to thank Glashütte Original and the Dresden Music Festival for this magnificent award.” 

Mariza holding the 12th Glashütte Original MusicFestivalAward

The award was built by two apprentices. The form of this award shows the classic watchmaking craftsmanship with modern materials used. The Flying Tourbillon with eighteen screws reflects the artistry of watchmakers.

Mariza receives the 25,000 Euro award in recognition of her paramount contribution to bringing the Fado tradition to an international audience of all generations. “Mariza is the leading Fado singer of our time. In 2011, the Fado tradition was added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Mariza receives the Glashütte Original MusicFestivalAward for her services as an ambassador across Europe for the Fado tradition,” said Jan Vogler, Director of the Dresden Music Festival.  Among previous honours given Mariza are her appointment to the position of UNICEF ambassador, as well as to the Portuguese National Order of Knighthood “Ordem do Infante Dom Enrique”, which is among the highest ranking accolades for cultural services in Portugal. She was also awarded the title “Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres” by the French Government. Additionally, she featured in the music film “Fados”, directed by renowned director Carlos Saura, and is the subject of a BBC documentary entitled “Mariza and the History of Fado”.

The Glashütte Original MusicFestivalAward is given in recognition of service to the cause of classical music and support for young talents. Funded by the watch manufactory Glashütte Original in 2015 for the 12th time, the 25,000 Euro Award is presented jointly by the Saxon watchmaker and the Dresden Music Festival. Previous winners include such renowned artists as Gustavo Dudamel, Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Hélène Grimaud, Thomas Quasthoff, and Hilary Hahn. 

Presented in the photo : Jan Vogler, Mariza with the trophy and Yann Gamard.

Make sure that you have visited the Glashütte Original and Dresden Music Festival site.