By Celina Lafuente de Lavotha - Monaco Reporter

Press conference to present an exciting Opera season 

Opera lovers flocked to the Salle Garnier at high noon on Thursday, April 23, 2015, for Jean-Louis Grinda’s presentation of yet another exciting Opera season 2015-2016. Among the distinguished personalities present seated on first row we would like to mention: Jean Charles Curau, Director of Cultural Affairs of Monaco; Daniel Boeri, President of the Commission of Culture and Heritage; Patrice Cellario, newly appointed Interior Minister of Monaco; and the President of the Friends of the Opera Association Dieter Spaethe.

When the Opera shares the stage with the environment

Grinda’s discourse was preceded by the signing of an agreement between the Opera of Monte-Carlo and the Albert II of Monaco Foundation represented by their Vice President and CEO Bernard Fautrier, becoming the 50th signatory of the Charter on Wood with the mission to fight against deforestation. The Opera of Monte-Carlo is thus committed to adopt a virtuous attitude in the use of wood and its derived products in the staging of their oeuvres.

A season to remember!

Before unveiling the upcoming season’s program the curtains opened to reveal on stage the member of the Chorus of the Opera of Monte-Carlo under the direction of Stefano Visconti, that delighted us with a brief but delightful performance. The presentation of the new season is done with creativity and flair!

Since its inauguration in 1879, the Opera of Monte-Carlo attracts the best artists of their time to the magnificent Salle Garnier. In the upcoming season they will continue to feature outstanding singers like Bryn Terfel, Marcelo Alvarez, Eva-Maria Westbroek, Ildar Abdrazakov and more, in renowned pieces like Tosca, Norma, or even to those to be played for the first time in Monaco, like: The Wally, The Player and Attila. Among those great artists one deserves a special mention, the fantastic Cecilia Bartoli, who will be interpreting Norma. This will be the first stage of a partnership of six years during which the Opera of Monte-Carlo will accompany her in the realization of her artistic selections. Thanks to her presence in the Principality a new ensemble of baroque music is being created, baptized “The Musicians of the Prince” that will accompany Bartoli in some of her tours.

• November 11, 2015 – The Heroes concert of Haendel by Nathalie Stutzmann
• November 16-22, 2015 – Tosca with Martina Serafin
• December 18, 2015 – Concert Ramon Vargas-Angela Gheorgiu-Ludovic Tezier
• January 21-30, 2016 – The Wally with Eva-Maria Westbroek
• February 4, 2016 – Concert Alcina of Haendel with Sonya Yoncheva and Philippe Jaroussky
• February 19-25, 2016 – Norma with Cecilia Bartoli
• March 18-25, 2016 – The Player of Prokofiev
• April 5, 2016 – Recital Juan-Diego Florez
• April 11, 2016 – Recital Renee Fleming
• April 22-29, 2016 – Attila of Verdi with staging by Ruggero Raimondi with Ildar Abdrazakov

Booking for new season subscription opens from May 26, 2015, and for individual reservations by correspondence open from July 7, 2015. For information: www.opera.mc