Nico Kaufmann

Nico Kaufmann was a Swiss pianist, born in 1916, who gained recognition as a musical prodigy in the 1940s. Despite his incredible talent and early success, his career and personal life were severely impacted by societal repression against homosexuality. He became a prominent figure in Zurich's gay scene and contributed to political cabarets during World War II, but faced significant adversity due to his sexuality. In his later years, Kaufmann experienced a resurgence in recognition, eventually becoming a millionaire through inheritance, which allowed him to establish a scholarship for young musicians. He died in 1996, leaving a lasting legacy in the Swiss music community.