For nearly 40 years, the Oberwalliser Vokalensemble (Ensemble Vocal du Haut-Valais) has traveled throughout Switzerland and Europe under the direction of its founder, Hansruedi Kämpfen. Numerous awards in international competitions and performances at prestigious concerts quickly brought the ensemble national recognition.
Since an unexpected first victory in 1989 at the International Competition in Gorizia, OVE has regularly received awards in both national and international competitions. In 2013, it won First Prize in the Elite Category at the Swiss Choir Competition. In 2017, it claimed two prestigious awards: first, in Riga, the First Prize in the Vocal Ensemble Category at the European Choir Games, and then Third Prize (Best Western European Choir) at the International Choir Contest in Maassmechelen, Belgium.
OVE is frequently invited to perform at renowned festivals in Switzerland and abroad. Highlights include performances at the Luzern Festival alongside the Hilliard Ensemble, the Zermatt Festival under the direction of Marcus Creed and Ton Koopman, and the Verbier Festival conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas, Zubin Mehta, Jesus Lopez Cobos, and Fabio Luisi.
Since its inception, OVE has explored a vast repertoire, receiving excellent reviews for its performances of Bach in smaller formations as well as Romantic repertoire. Over the past two decades, the ensemble has often premiered contemporary works, notably by Valais composers such as Eugen Meier and Andreas Zurbriggen. In 2016, OVE accepted an invitation from renowned Swiss composer Carl Rütti and premiered Mysterium Montis, a Vespers project for six alphorns, double choir, and soloists. The concerts, held in Köniz, Arlesheim, Einsiedeln, and Brig, were met with great success, each receiving a standing ovation from the audience. These performances were followed by the release of a CD and DVD. In 2018, the Oberwalliser Vokalensemble played a major role in the BrigerMusikNächte.
