On Monday, April 28, nearly 400 people gathered in the Salle Garnier of the Monte-Carlo Opera to attend the screening of the first part of the documentary Esultate, The History of the Monte-Carlo Opera, directed by Monegasque journalist Frédéric Laurent and his son, Jérémie. The evening was attended, among others, by HSH Prince Albert II, HRH the Princess of Hanover, Madame Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, in charge of the functions of Minister of State, Stéphane Valeri, President-Delegate of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, and Jean-Louis Grinda, his Advisor for Cultural and Artistic Affairs and former Director of the Monte-Carlo Opera.
“This series, which tells the story of an Opera House, is unique. There is no other story of a great Opera House in the world in television format.” “The richness of its content is exceptional,” are the words of journalist Frédéric Laurent to describe his documentary titled Esultate, a nod to Giuseppe Verdi’s famous Otello, which traces the history of the Monte-Carlo Opera and the Salle Garnier, and the considerable contribution of this institution to Monaco’s cultural heritage.
The first act of four, lasting 64 minutes, was screened this Monday, April 28. It unveils the early years, from around 1879 to 1951. A prosperous period, during which more than 80 operas were created by composers who defined the era, and during which the greatest sopranos and tenors appeared one after the other. All orchestrated by Raoul Gunsburg, Director of the Opera from 1892 to 1951 and first Artistic Director of the Société des Bains de Mer, with the invaluable support of the Princes of Monaco, notably Albert I.
This extensively documented in-depth work required dozens of interviews, more than 180 opera excerpts, and over 700 illustrations to retrace the first 72 years of this iconic stage.
True to its tradition as a patron of arts and culture in Monaco, the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer actively contributed to this historic project, authorizing Frédéric and Jérémie Laurent to use period photographs and documents from its heritage archives. 149 opera programs were digitized. “I was immediately struck by the rigor and passion that drove Frédéric Laurent’s approach, who accomplished a truly Roman work, meticulous, demanding, and thoroughly researched. It was therefore only natural that I wanted Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer to organize the launch of his documentary. This film reminds us how much the Opera, always under the leadership of the Princes and Princesses of Monaco, has contributed to our country’s international influence in the fields of arts and culture,” commented Stéphane Valeri during the screening.
Opéra de Monte-Carlo 2025–2026 season
A few days later, the Opéra de Monte-Carlo unveiled its 2025–2026 season in the Salle Garnier. Artistic Director Cecilia Bartoli presented a program that pays tribute to women’s voices, heroic and fragile figures, the power of myth, and the collective dream that is opera.
The season features seven operas, two concerts (one of which is operatic), a musical, a revue in homage to Joséphine Baker, and a recital, totaling 12 productions across 43 performances. These events will take place on three stages: the Opéra Garnier, the Grimaldi Forum, and the Auditorium Rainier-III.
Highlights include:
• Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman: Opening the season on November 2 at the Centre des Congrès, featuring the Opéra’s chorus and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra (OPMC). A second work by the German composer will be performed in January 2026 with The Valkyrie.
• Verdi’s Aida and Il Trovatore: Aida will be performed on November 16, 20, and 22, while Il Trovatore will close the season with performances on March 22, 24, 26, and 28, 2026.
• Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice: Cecilia Bartoli will take on the role of Orfeo, offering a much-anticipated vocal and dramatic performance.
• Mozart’s Così fan tutte: Presented by the Wiener Staatsoper.
• Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande: A new production by Jean-Louis Grinda, bringing a moody, dreamlike intensity to the stage.
Beyond opera, the season includes:
• Bonsoir Monte-Carlo: A grand revue planned for the Monegasque National Holiday, paying tribute to Joséphine Baker through several of her songs.
• Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats: A British musical promising a fabulous show for audiences of all ages and which is reported to be planned to appear again in London next year with multiple performances
• Concerts and Recitals:
• December 1: Tenor Roberto Alagna presents C’est Magnifique at the Salle Garnier.
• February 14: Cecilia Bartoli and Plácido Domingo join forces for a recital celebrating their Latin heritage, accompanied by pianist David Fray.
• March 31: Latvian mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča performs opera arias at the Auditorium Rainier III, backed by the OPMC under the baton of Henrik Nánási.
A Harmonious Blend of Heritage and Innovation
The recent events at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo underscore Monaco’s dedication to honouring its rich operatic heritage while embracing innovative and inclusive programming. The premiere of Esultate and the unveiling of the upcoming season highlight the Principality’s commitment to celebrating the past and inspiring the future of opera.
