In the midst of a bustling supermarket, two seasoned violinists were delivering an impromptu performance when a 13-year-old boy approached and asked, “May I join you in playing Vivaldi?” The musicians exchanged surprised glances—Vivaldi’s compositions are challenging even for seasoned performers. Nonetheless, they handed him a violin.
As the boy drew the bow across the strings, the atmosphere transformed. His playing was not just technically proficient; it was imbued with a depth and passion that belied his age. Shoppers paused, captivated, as the supermarket was momentarily transformed into a concert hall. When the final note resonated, the entire store erupted in applause, celebrating the unexpected and moving performance they had just witnessed.
This young virtuoso is Lucas Chiche, a 13-year-old piano prodigy from Geneva, Switzerland. Born in 2011, Lucas began his piano studies at the age of four and was admitted to the Geneva Conservatory of Music at six. He later joined the Musimax program for gifted children.
Despite his youth, Lucas has already built an impressive reputation in the world of classical music. His accolades include winning prestigious international competitions such as the Geneva Baroque Competition (2023), SJMW Swiss Competition (2021), London Young Musician (2022), and the Rondo International Competition (2019 & 2020). In 2024, he was awarded the Special Prize by the jury at the Grand Piano Competition, which led to a performance invitation at Paris’s Salle Cortot at the École Normale de Musique.
Lucas has graced world-renowned stages including Carnegie Hall in New York, Victoria Hall in Geneva, and Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow. He’s also performed alongside top orchestras under the baton of Maestro Vladimir Spivakov, including the Moscow Virtuosi, CMG Symphony Orchestra, Divertimento, the Svetlanov Orchestra, and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. His growth as an artist has been nurtured through masterclasses with iconic musicians like Mikhail Marchenko, Nelson Goerner, and Elisabeth Leonskaja.
Adding even more brilliance to his performances is the support of Florian Leonhard Fine Violins—a prestigious atelier known for crafting, restoring, and curating some of the world’s most exquisite string instruments. With over four decades of experience, founder Florian Leonhard has built a reputation among elite soloists, educators, and performers worldwide for their high-precision replicas of historic Italian violins, meticulously crafted in their London workshop.
Together, Lucas Chiche’s extraordinary piano artistry and the rich tones of Florian Leonhard’s violins deliver a musical experience that transcends age and place, reminding us all of the timeless power of classical music.Supermarket serenade: teen violinist’s impromptu performance sparks standing ovation