Interfinity turns its gaze upwards—to exoplanets and the cosmos. The festival tells a continuous storyline, from the origins of humanity to the distant worlds beyond our solar system. Musically, the journey leads from the Baroque era to the modern age and culminates in a grand highlight: a production about exoplanets in the Messe Halle, developed in collaboration with the NCCR PlanetS research focus and performed by the Sinfonieorchester Basel.
The Interfinity Festival 2026 culminates with the Swiss premiere of "Exoplanets," a new work by Robert Laidlow, performed by the Sinfonieorchester Basel under the direction of conductor Lin Liao in the vast, empty Messehalle 1 (the hall normally reserved for Art Unlimited). Laidlow, one of the most compelling British composers of his generation, weaves cutting-edge scientific insights into so-called Hycean planets and other extraordinary exoplanets—in other words, celestial bodies far beyond our solar system—into his composition with remarkable ingenuity and breathtaking sonic richness (for 80 musicians!). The audience travels to distant worlds, discovering planets where iron rains from the sky, oceans cover entire surfaces, or crystals sweep through the atmosphere in violent storms. It is a sonic expedition into the bizarre and beautiful diversity of the universe, even into the deep, lightless oceans where life may exist.
Short scientific intermezzi present current discoveries and fascinating questions. With his resonant voice, moderator Prof. Dr. Henry Legg guides the audience through the evening, building a bridge between music and science. The visual dimension is created by world-renowned Dutch light artist Nick Verstand, who transforms the hall into a pulsating galaxy of light and laser. The project is a collaboration with the Sinfonieorchester Basel and the MCH Group and jointly commissioned with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, which will present the purely musical version in London.
On premiere night, a reception (included in the ticket) offers the opportunity to meet and speak with scientists from NCCR PlanetS about exoplanets and the vastness of the universe. A pre-concert introduction at 18:30 will take place on both evenings, featuring composer Laidlow and Festival Director Lukas Loss.
Tickets are CHF 70 (CHF 20 for students up to age 26) on March 19 and CHF 60/CHF 15 on March 20..

Website
interfinity.ch/en/exoplanets

Where
Messe Basel
Messeplatz 10
4005 Basel

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