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Day: 4 December 2019

Bartoli becomes first female director of Monte-Carlo Opera

by: Stephanie Horsman
04/12/2019

Cecilia Bartoli has been appointed to take over directorship from Jean-Louis Grinda as of 1st January 2023, becoming the first female to take on the position.

At a press conference held earlier this week, HRH the Princess of Hanover, Chairperson of the Monte-Carlo Opera Board of Directors, formally announced the retirement of Jean-Louis Grinda and introduced his hand-picked successor to the Opera, Cecilia Bartoli.

“In March 2019, Jean-Louis Grinda informed HSH Prince Albert and myself of his intention to eventually leave his post as director of the Monte-Carlo Opera,” said the Princess of Hanover. “Having occupied this position since 2007, he felt that, in all good conscience, the time had come to hand over to someone who would bring new ideas to the opera in the Principality.

Jean-Louis Grinda mentioned to the Princess Cecilia Bartoli, whom he had informally consulted. In addition to her personal and professional qualities, Cecilia already had strong ties to the Principality as the head of the Prince’s Musicians in the role of artistic directior since the ensemble was created in 2016.

“This attractive suggestion naturally caught my interest and attention as Chair of the Opera Board. After receiving the agreement of HSH the Sovereign Prince, a proposal was officially made to Cecilia Bartoli, which, I am delighted to say, she accepted,” said Princess Caroline.

The appointment marks the first time a woman will hold directorship of the Opera.

Ms Bartoli will retain her other commitments, such as Director of the Prince’s Musicians, as well as continuing to pursue her singing career, as Mr Grinda did before her as a stage director.

“It is a great honour and a great responsibility, and I wish to thank, with all my heart for their confidence, HSH the Sovereign Prince, HRH the Princess of Hanover and the Board of Directors of the Opera,” said a clearly moved Ms Bartoli. “Thank you also to Jean-Louis Grinda for his friendship, for having thought of me and for his promise to continue to make himself available to me and to the opera as an advisor.”

She went on to speak of her indebtedness to the Principality for giving her a chance when she was first starting out and how she has found her home there as a direct result.

“I made my debut in Monte Carlo in The Barber of Seville in 1989 at the beginning of my career, and since then I have felt attached to Monaco,” she recalled. “Salle Garnier is probably one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world, its dimensions and acoustics are perfect, a real gem. In 2016, Jean-Louis and I created the Prince’s Musicians. In no time, this orchestra had performed more than 70 concerts, recordings and opera performances throughout Europe. It received universal acclaim from international audiences and critics, naming it as one of ‘the best instrumental ensembles of the time’, thus introducing Monaco to major classical music audiences.”

Ms Bartoli finished by expressing her excitement for the future. She will not only be the first woman to head up the Opera, but the first opera singer to be in charge since Guy Grinda, Jean-Louis’s father.

“This perfectly illustrates my motto, which is ‘to draw on tradition and bring innovation’. As on my first day, I’m brimming with ideas and will take immense joy in placing my creativity and passion for music at the service of the Monte-Carlo Opera!”

 

 

Alan Walker to headline 2020 MC Summer Concert

by: Stephanie Horsman
04/12/2019

Anglo-Norwegian superstar of the moment Alan Walker has been chosen by the Principality’s youth to headline the MC Summer Concert this July.

Sponsored by the National Council, the young people of Monaco voted in October on who they would most like to see live, and this year it’s 22-year-old sensation Alan Walker.

The MC Summer Concert’s first year was a rollicking hit for both attendees and organisers and featured the Kungs playing at Le Sporting. This year, it is Alan Walker who will be rocking the kids of Monaco at the Espace Léo Ferré on 1st July 2020.

Walker, whose 2015 hit ‘Faded’ put him on the international radar, has more than seven billion views and downloads on various platforms, and holds multi-platinum certifications in more than 10 countries, including the United Kingdom and the US.

The announcement was made earlier this week in the Chamber of the National Council, in the presence of the class delegates, as well as Stéphane Valeri, President of the National Council, Patrice Cellario, Minister of the Interior, and Georges Marsan, Mayor of Monaco.

The next step is choosing the local artists who will complete the line-up.

The MC Summer Concert is a free concert-event and reserved for 13 to 25 year-old residents, school children and students of the Principality.

 

Read also:

MC Summer Concert lineup revealed

National Council approves nationality-by-marriage bill

by: Stephanie Horsman
04/12/2019

The controversial bill to grant Monegasque nationality to those married to a citizen only after a 20 year waiting period was voted on earlier this week.

The National Council opened its 2nd December meeting with a bill to fight harassment in schools. This clearly passed with flying colours and, though extremely important, was not the evening’s main event.

Rarely is a National Council meeting followed with such interest, but this time a hotbed issue was up for the vote and piqued many people’s attentions.

The proposed bill would create a 20-year waiting period for spouses of Monegasque nationals to be able to obtain a Monaco passport. This is a 10-year jump from the previous legislation, which required 10 years of marriage.

The proposed bill was intended as a way to help limit the population, which at the current rate is expected to rise from 9,300 today to 14,700 in 50 year’s time and would more than double the strain on services for citizens. It was also touted as being a way to curb “marriages of convenience”.

“This advanced model is exemplary and envied. It relies in particular on the access of all Monegasques whose situation justifies low-rent housing corresponding to their needs, priority access to quality jobs as well as the remarkable support provided by the State to compatriots who can experience difficult situations at certain times in their lives,” said Stephen Valeri, President of the National Council and a staunch advocate for the 20 year wait, according to La Gazette de Monaco. 

Under this argument, the current ten-year waiting period is simply not enough to be able to maintain current standards, though outright abolition of citizenship to those not born in the Principality is not an acceptable solution either. Defenders of the bill consider this option the only way forward.

Those against the bill argued that 20 years is an excessive amount of time for a spouse of a Monegasque to not be able to enjoy the same rights as a full citizen, to not share the nationality of their children, nor perhaps be able to travel under the same conditions. They also questioned the legitimacy of the “population explosion” theory and accused the bill as being masked as a fight against those who marry only to gain citizenship.

In the end, despite a few abstentions, the bill was passed by 19 votes.

 

 

Bidding for Russian masterpieces in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
04/12/2019

In late November, Hermitage Fine Art hosted the inaugural Russian Sales at Le Meridien, auctioning off some exciting rare pieces.

To understand more about this new auction house and some of the fine items that went under the hammer in the Principality, Monaco Life spoke to Hermitage Fine Art Director Elena Efremova.

Monaco Life: When did Hermitage Fine Art enter the auction scene?

Elena Efremova: We opened our auction house Hermitage Fine Art in 2017 and we organise three large art auction series every year. The next sales will be in March 2020.

What are some of the standout pieces you have auctioned?

In the last three years we have curated and organised auctions of Old Masters, 19th Century and Modern and Contemporary art. One of our highlights was a significant painting by Felix Vallotton ‘Femme nue’, the sale of which coincided with an important exhibition of Vallotton at the Royal Academy of Art in London and, in recent years, the Grand Palais in Paris.

Another important work we sold in 2018 was Portrait of Gabrielle d’Estree by Fontainbleau School, painted before 1600. The painting was sold in Monaco and after the auction it was included in the exhibition catalogue ‘La Joconde Nue’ and published as part of the the homonymous exhibition at the Domaine de Chantilly in 2019.

Portrait of Gabrielle d’Estree by Fontainbleau School

Do you have a specialty?

We are known worldwide for auctions of manuscripts and autographs. From rare historic handwritten letters to unique autographs by famous politicians and writers, cultural and literary figures, scientists and world celebrities.

In November, we sold a unique, previously unpublished autograph of ‘Silver age’ by Russian writer Valeriy Bryusov (1873-1924) – a handwritten letter to Zinaida Gippius. In it, Bryusov eloquently talks about all the poetic twists and turns that have taken place in the cultural life of Moscow in the summer of 1907.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the pages of the letter are literary competition, philosophical debate, and magazine intrigue involving the first poets of the era: Alexander Blok, Andrei Bely, V. Ivanov, G. Chulkov, Gumilev, Gorodetsky, M. Kuzmin, etc. All the events revolve around rival magazines ‘Zolotoye Runo’ and ‘Vesi’. Letters from Bryusov to Gippius remain largely unknown. The lot was sold for 19,860€.

One of our main focuses is the auction of Russian art and history, with unique historic artefacts such as silver gilt Kovsh of Peter the Ist time. Several of these items are preserved in State museums in Russia (Kremlin Armory Chamber, etc.) and in private collections. Our auction house features the highest quality Russian masterpieces and an exemplary collection of Russian antique and rare books.

In March 2020 Monegasque clients will have an opportunity to see original scripts of Marlon Brando with his handwritten notes and other exceptional items from his library.

We also had auctions of numismatics, with Septimius Severvs (193-211) Aureus, Rome, going for a record 86,060€. Severus was Roman emperor from 193 to 211. On the reverse side of the coin there are images of Severus’ sons Caracalla and Geta. These are perhaps the only reliable portraits of these great historical figures. This rare and fine coin was sold for 86,060€.

The Roman Empire golden coin  – Septimius Severus (193-211) Aureus, Rome, 201, AU 7,48g

In addition to the auctions, how else are you involved in the art scene of Monaco?

We are happy to be part of the cultural life of Monaco, with our art breakfasts, art talks, previews and cocktails. We invite people from Monaco to follow the new exciting projects on our website and visit our events.

What were some of the other rare pieces auctioned on 21st November at Le Meridien?

‘Autumn View on Church’, a painting by Konstantin Ivanoovich Gorbatov (1876 – 1945), Oil on canvas, sold for 72,820€ (Top picture).

A ‘Faberge’ desk set in its authentic case sold for 9,930€.  The paper knife and magnifying glass with decorative handles are made in the technique of guilloche enamel, inlaid with old cut diamonds and cabochon cut rubies.

‘Faberge’ The bureau set in the authentic case

Finally, an original Louis Vuitton trunk, dated 1910, became the top lot of the ‘Objects of vertu’ auction collection. The vintage Louis Vuitton Trunk was sold for 10,592€.

 

 

Major step in green tech fund creation

by: Cassandra Tanti
04/12/2019

Chinese Academy of Sciences Holdings Co., Ltd. and Innovator Capital Limited have signed a Cooperation Agreement, marking the next step in the process of setting up their joint venture. The JV, with Innovator Capital’s Sustainable Finance & Investment Corporation, will comprise a green technologies innovation fund and a transfer platform.

The fund, which was first announced at this year at Innovator Capital’s CleanEquity Monaco annual conference, in the presence of Prince Albert II of Monaco, is being set up specifically to enable sovereigns to fulfil their obligations under Article 10 of the Paris Climate Accord. Supporting innovation of technologies that can combat the causes and effects of climate change is now a critical, unsatisfied requirement.

The agreement paves the way for the immediate creation of a Reserved Alternative Investment Fund (RAIF) in Luxembourg. The RAIF will have several sub-funds, which are designed to accommodate the needs of all interested investors. Technology innovation that addresses health will be a focus alongside sustainable technologies; in effect addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The event, hosted by Innovator Capital and held at the Shelboune Hotel in Dublin, was one of the opening sessions of the China Entrepreneurs Club’s Irish tour. The club is chaired by Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba Group.

“I am delighted that progress is being made on this essential project,” said Dr. WU Lebin, Chairman of the China Academy of Sciences Green Investment Company. “We welcome other investors to join with us on our mission to accelerate innovation.”

The Chinese Academy of Sciences, founded in 1949, is a Chinese research institute. It has historical origins in the Academia Sinica during the Republican era and formerly also known by that name, is the national academy for the natural sciences of the People’s Republic of China.

“We hope that 4th November will continue to be a memorable date, today is the third anniversary of the date which the Paris Climate Accord went effective,” said Mungo Park, Chairman of Innovator Capital. “The agreement Dr. WU Lebin and I have signed demonstrates China’s commitment to supporting technology innovation, sharing and transfer. Our role is to ensure that these technologies reach those that need them as fast as possible.”

Innovator Capital Limited (ICL), established in 2003, is a London based specialist investment bank focusing on health and sustainable technology companies; advising on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, IP, business and corporate development.

 

 

Monaco annual Ecumenical Kermesse returns

by: Stephanie Horsman
04/12/2019

Monaco’s yearly church fête is celebrating its half century this year in the Fontvieille Chapiteau with fun for all ages.

Over 25 stalls will adorn the grand marquee for this once a year “jumble sale” in Fontvieille on Saturday 7th December, all with an aim to benefit a heavenly host of charitable causes.

Toys, books, antiques, clothes, holiday decorations, shoes, household items, handbags and other items will be there for the taking alongside international stands offering specialities from France, Spain, Greece, Great Britain and of course Monaco.

There is also a tombola with over 20 prizes up for grabs and with tickets going for only €2 a piece, visitors can have a real shot at a win.

Snacks and drinks are served all day, though it is rumoured that the mince pies and cakes disappear by midday, so an early arrival is recommended. 

The kermesse is a cooperative effort of a selection of local Christian churches as a way to raise money for a vast array of charitable causes they help throughout the year and is held under the patronage of Princess Caroline of Hanover.

Donations for the event are being accepted all day on both Thursday 5th December and Friday 6th December at the Chapiteau. Entry is free and doors are open from 10am until 6pm on Saturday.

Join in the fun, find a few gifts and feel good about helping those in need!

For more information, please contact Merville on +33 678 63 28 01.