L'Apprenti Sorcier (The Sorcerer's Apprentice), August 8-9, 2024

[Arriba627]

CHOREOGRAPHY: Stephane Lambiel & Salome Brunner
PIANO: Beatrice Berrut

Many fans received an early Christmas present in the form of a You Tube of the complete ice show, L'Apprenti Sorcier. This show was a celebration of the 10th anniversary of Stephane Lambiel's elite Palladium Skating School in Champery, Switzerland.



There was no shortage of elite skaters! Fans were treated to the amazing live piano accompaniment of Beatrice Berrut and the skating of Stephane Lambiel, Shoma, Deniss Vasiljevs, Koshiro Shimada, ice dancers Juulia Turkkila & Matthias, Satoko, and Marin Honda. Students of the skating school had a major role in the show too.

The small village of Champery experienced an international invasion of sorts as fans from the U.S., Japan, and Europe flocked to the village to see their favorites. For many, it was a pilgrimage to see Champery and its training environment as much as an opportunity to see the ice shows and enjoy a Meet and Greet with their favorites. Many locals were in attendance too, and it seemed that they have very much "embraced" the international skaters of the skating school...Several of us GSers were there and enjoyed talking skating and socializing. I know this is an experience I will never forget!

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
--Stephane Lambiel and Satoko -- Tchaikovsky Sleeping Beauty (27:38)
--Dennis V. -- Stravinsky Firebird (53:05)
--Juulia & Matthias -- Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody (12:30)
--Shoma -- John Williams Harry Potter theme (34:46)
--Stephane -- Mahler Adagietto 5th Symphony (46:12)
--Koshiro S. -- Saint Saens Danse Macabre (39:10)
--Fun finale with audience involvement 1:06:00

It was hard to say goodbye to Champery.

 

[ChristineB]

This show was truly a memory that will stay with me the rest of my life! I am so grateful that we were able to attend and experience this wonderful show from amazing seats on the ice.

It was so nice to see our favorite skaters live, chat with them after the show, and to meet so many wonderful fans from all walks of life. Team Champéry has the best group of skating fans that I've encountered in real life and it was so special for me to experience this - and especially as a HUGE fan of Deniss and Stephane (as well as the other skaters).

I recently heard that there may be some type of show again in 2026. (It was briefly mentioned during the Cup of China fan meeting with DV and SL, but no details were provided and it's probably too early to determine more info.) I will definitely add that to my travel plans if it happens!

 

[rabidline]

To kinda make it relevant of "current/future" ice shows that is moved to this section of the forum, there will be a Japanese broadcast of L'Apprenti Sorcier in February 2025 at GAORA Sports:

ステファン・ランビエール アイスショー L'Apprenti Sorcier ～魔法使いの弟子～ | GAORA - CSスポーツチャンネル

国内外のトップスポーツをお届けするGAORA SPORTSは、サーフィン、フィギュアスケートなどのシーズンスポーツもお届けしています！

www.gaora.co.jp

It really is a great show. It was way over my budget to go to Switzerland, but from what I can watch online, it reminds me more of a recital, rather than the usual ice show, and I like that vibe a lot (very much into watching orchestra / classical music recitals here). Beatrice is truly amazing, I just love her playing style (and had a great laugh when after Mahler she took a coffee break while Stephane is desperately trying to make a speech while out of breath). Like I can just see how Stephane and Beatrice are good friends.

 

[rabidline]

Ah, also, my favorite write-up of this show by Florentina Tone at Inside Skating <3

L’Apprenti Sorcier in Champéry. Key word: magic. Key word: light

Did this really happen? L’Apprenti Sorcier in Champéry, Switzerland – this thing of magic, at the beginning of August, did it really happen? I have a brochure with the schedule and a badge that says it did, it happened. But why does it feel like a dream though? ...well, because it was indee

www.insideskating.net

 

[Arriba627]

To kinda make it relevant of "current/future" ice shows that is moved to this section of the forum, there will be a Japanese broadcast of L'Apprenti Sorcier in February 2025 at GAORA Sports:

The video finally came out on 12-24 and you posted it. That makes it relevant.

 

[ChristineB]

Ah, also, my favorite write-up of this show by Florentina Tone at Inside Skating <3

L’Apprenti Sorcier in Champéry. Key word: magic. Key word: light

Did this really happen? L’Apprenti Sorcier in Champéry, Switzerland – this thing of magic, at the beginning of August, did it really happen? I have a brochure with the schedule and a badge that says it did, it happened. But why does it feel like a dream though? ...well, because it was indee

www.insideskating.net

This article sums up the experience for most of us - it's hard to believe it all really happened (but in the best way possible)!

 

[synesthesia]

Thank you Arriba and ChristineB for sharing your experiences here! I'm a big fan of the way Stephane stages his shows without distracting trappings and with maximum focus on quality skating, and this one looks no less impressive (than for instance Ice Legends, which I saw live in 2016). His love for skating and for the skaters he invites just shines through each and every moment of them. And, to pick up on what rabidline mentioned above, he also always works with very talented pianists - Kotaro Fukuma, Khatia Buniatishvili and now Beatrice Berrut - all very accomplished in their own right and an asset to Steph's shows and most importantly, they all have the necessary sensibility for collaborating live with the skaters.

 

[Arriba627]

Another thing that was so fascinating (and of course should come as no surprise!) was that Stephane's students were such amazing spinners! But then, I guess when you learn from the Master Spinner, you should be good too! Even the young kids had great spins.

 

[ChristineB]

Thank you Arriba and ChristineB for sharing your experiences here! I'm a big fan of the way Stephane stages his shows without distracting trappings and with maximum focus on quality skating, and this one looks no less impressive (than for instance Ice Legends, which I saw live in 2016). His love for skating and for the skaters he invites just shines through each and every moment of them. And, to pick up on what rabidline mentioned above, he also always works with very talented pianists - Kotaro Fukuma, Khatia Buniatishvili and now Beatrice Berrut - all very accomplished in their own right and an asset to Steph's shows and most importantly, they all have the necessary sensibility for collaborating live with the skaters.

It was particularly impressive how he staged this one in what is essentially a training rink (a beautiful one, but not a stadium, etc.). The atmosphere was amazing and on par with any top skating show.

 

[Lyyli]

It really was a magical, visually and musically rewarding show with high quality performances. Dream line up for me. As a Finn it was special that out of all the ice dancers in the world Juulia and Matthias were invited. I think not just because Matthias has edited music for Deniss and other Champéry skaters, but also because of their polished quality. It was also very nice to see Satoko and Marin live for the first time ever.

All in all, the whole trip to Champéry was refreshing. The best part in traveling was the Aigle - Champéry train ride. At first, it felt unreal to see the train with "Champéry" sign at Aigle station. The scenery on this train ride was so wonderful and sometimes a little scary too because the train went up into the mountains and right next to the track you could often see enormously long drops into the valleys.

I spent several days in Champéry, so there was time to get to know the place, walk here and there in the village and in the mountains, meet other fans and sometimes sit in the Palladium Bistro and also enjoy the loveliest hotel room I have ever had. People were very friendly and polite. Lots of tourists were there, not only for the show, but also mountain bikers, hikers and families enjoying their summer holidays at Palladium pool and with other activities there.

 

[Arriba627]

^^^It was so fun to finally meet you @Lyyli after "knowing" you online for 7? 8? years. It was indeed a very magical few days.

 

[Silevril Ilumire]

I’m so happy it is online now!! I’ve been hopefully waiting for so long.

 

[Silevril Ilumire]

I didn’t get to see it before it was taken down

 

[synesthesia]

I’m so happy it is online now!! I’ve been hopefully waiting for so long.

I didn’t get to see it before it was taken down

I uploaded this past weekend's broadcast from Japanese TV (please note that I will take the link down after a couple of days):

[link removed]

 

[Silevril Ilumire]

I uploaded this past weekend's broadcast from Japanese TV (please note that I will take the link down after a couple of days):

Thank you so much I really need this right now, can’t thank you enough!

Edit: I watched the entire video! Thank you @synesthesia for your generosity and thoughtfulness for other skating fans The show was magical and peaceful (except for the Bipolar Mermaid ), and I found it soothing to my soul.