When Stradivarius Meets Angkor for a Humanitarian Cause
Photo provided by Giuliano Turello
- By: Ky Chamna And Thorng Broney July 14, 2026, 6:45 PM
SIEM REAP - As the evening air cooled, the sounds of three acclaimed musicians filled the heart of Angkor, bringing together music, compassion and a shared sense of community.
Swiss violinist Rachel Kolly joined Angkor Classique pianist Neil Sharpe and flutist Leo Salazar for a special performance celebrating classical music. The concert also highlighted the legacy of the Stradivarius violin, one of history’s most celebrated instruments, with Kolly sharing the story behind her 300-year-old instrument.
Organised by Giuliano Turello on July 8, the event helped promote Cambodia’s growing classical music scene while raising support for Handicap International and its work with vulnerable communities across the country.
Violinist Rachel Kolly spoke about the inspiration behind the concert and its humanitarian mission.
Photo provided by Giuliano Turello
Ky Chamna: What makes Siem Reap city a place of choice for your musical event?
Rachel Kolly: Siem Reap holds deep personal meaning for me. My visit was primarily to spend time with Handicap International, a charity I have proudly supported and served as an ambassador for since 2012.
Returning to Cambodia—the country where I carried out my first humanitarian mission in 2013—felt like coming home. When Giuliano Turello kindly offered to organize this concert, it became the perfect opportunity to share music with the local community while supporting a cause that is very close to my heart.
Ky Chamna: What music did you choose for the audience and why?
Rachel Kolly: We created a program featuring works by composers such as Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms and Astor Piazzolla.
These pieces were chosen because they offer a wide emotional range—from the lyrical and deeply expressive music of Brahms and Schubert to the vibrant rhythms and passion of Piazzolla.
Chamber music is also about listening, trust and connection. These works allowed for an intimate musical conversation between the violin, flute and piano, and we hoped the audience would feel part of that dialogue.
Ky Chamna: Why did you connect the event with a humanitarian effort?
Rachel Kolly: For me, music and humanitarian work share the same purpose: bringing people together and offering hope.
I have great admiration for Handicap International's mission to support some of the most vulnerable people in society. During my first visit to one of its rehabilitation centers in Kampong Cham province more than a decade ago, I was deeply moved by the beneficiaries' genuine emotional response to the music.
Linking this concert with the charity was our way of drawing greater attention to its life-changing work.
Ky Chamna: What makes a Stradivarius violin so special?
Rachel Kolly: A Stradivarius violin crafted in 1732 carries nearly 300 years of history. Its reputation comes from a remarkable combination of craftsmanship, heritage and the rich, distinctive sound it produces.
However, we also shared something with the audience that evening—my own Stradivarius remained safely at home. The intense heat, humidity and extensive travel involved in visiting charity sites across Cambodia could easily damage such a fragile instrument.
The concert was a reminder that while a Stradivarius is an extraordinary instrument, the heart of the music ultimately comes from the performer and the connection created with the audience.