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Day: 8 September 2026

Opéra de Monte-Carlo is making its first film, with Cecilia Bartoli as Orpheus

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/09/2026

The Opéra de Monte-Carlo is producing its first-ever film, a screen adaptation of Gluck’s Orphée et Eurydice starring the mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli — who also directs the Monegasque house — in the role of Orpheus.

Filming has just begun on the project, which the Opéra describes as an international production designed to lift the 18th-century opera off the stage and turn it into a work made for the cinema and digital platforms. The aim, the house says, is to carry the myth to audiences well beyond the opera world. The film is due to be presented to the public during 2027.

The cast and creative team

Bartoli, who has sung Orpheus on stages around the world, takes one of her signature roles; the part was written for a castrato voice, which the Opéra says suits her range. The soprano Mélissa Petit, a frequent stage partner of Bartoli’s, plays Eurydice. Direction and screenplay are by Davide Livermore and Paolo Gep Cucco, who work regularly with the Opéra, and the film will be distributed by Unitel, a leading German producer and distributor of filmed music.

Filming of Orphée et Eurydice in Monaco. Photo credit: Nicolò Creazzo

‘Making the impossible possible’

Bartoli framed the move to film as a chance to escape the limits of the stage. “To conceive Orphée et Eurydice for the cinema is to have the possibility of making the impossible possible,” she said. “Cinema allows us to play with greater freedom and to free ourselves from the constraints of space and technology that belong to the opera stage.”

She said the universal story would let the Opéra “address a far wider audience than opera lovers alone”, offering those who do not usually go to opera houses “a chance to discover the marvellous music of Gluck”.

What’s next for Bartoli

Away from the screen, Bartoli will give concerts across Europe before taking the role of Isabella in Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri, a new Opéra de Monte-Carlo production with the period-instrument ensemble Les Musiciens du Prince. She will then sing Rosina in Le Barbier de Séville at the Staatsoper in Berlin and the Opera of Rome, where she will mark 40 years since her artistic debut.

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Main photo: Cecilia Bartoli, credit: Orphée et Eurydice

 

How to get involved in Monaco’s World Cleanup Day 2026

by: Virginia D’Umas
08/09/2026

The Mairie de Monaco is gathering residents for the upcoming 2026 edition of World Cleanup Day, inviting the public to take part in an intergenerational waste-collection walk on Saturday 19th September.

For this year’s initiative, participants will gather at 9:30am outside the Médiathèque Caroline to embark on the scheduled cleanup route. All necessary equipment, including protective gloves and collection bags, will be provided on-site by the Société Monégasque d’Assainissement (SMA).

What is World Cleanup Day?

World Cleanup Day is the ultimate global day of action against litter, mobilising millions across cities, parks, and beaches. By cleaning up natural and urban spaces, initiatives like World Cleanup Day – France association encourage individual and collective responsibility in waste management, raising vital awareness around environmental health and biodiversity to drive people closer to a waste-free future.

World Cleanup Day 2025 edition led by Deputy Mayor Marjorie Crovetto. Photo credit: Mairie de Monaco

A tradition of environmental action 

Since 2019, the Mairie has led the Principality’s involvement in the international initiative, combining environmental awareness with community action. Previous local campaigns have engaged the community across iconic city landmarks, ranging from early partnerships with the eco-restaurant Conscientiae to large-scale municipal turnouts.

The 2025 campaign set a strong precedent when municipal officials, government ministers, and local organisations—including the Association Monégasque des Athlètes Olympiques—gathered alongside the SMA. Led by Deputy Mayor Marjorie Crovetto, the 2025 event featured two routes of varying difficulty, a simultaneous transatlantic greeting with twin city Ostend, and generated a total that included 750 cigarette butts, 5.5 kg of general waste, and 3 kg of rubble.

Residents and visitors wishing to join the intergenerational effort can register in advance by contacting environnement@mairie.mc.

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Main photo credit: Mairie de Monaco

Stars of Monaco launches weekly music and apéritivo nights

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/09/2026

Stars of Monaco, the Port Hercule venue that revived the much-loved Stars’N’Bars earlier this year, is adding two weekly evenings to its programme from Tuesday 8th September, with live music on Tuesdays and an Italian-style apéritivo on Thursdays.

The waterfront address at 6 Quai Antoine 1er reopened in June under the Stars of Monaco name, returning to the relaxed, family-friendly spirit that made Stars’N’Bars a fixture of Monaco life for three decades before it closed in 2023. The two new nights are intended to give regulars a standing reason to come back during the week.

Live music on Tuesdays

Tuesday evenings will run from 8pm to 10:30pm, with jazz, soul and saxophone performed by a rotating line-up of live artists. The venue describes the format as an evening that starts gently and builds through the night.

Apéritivo on Thursdays

Thursdays turn to the Italian art of living, with a happy hour from 5pm to 7pm during which a complimentary tapas platter is served. The venue is pitching it as a pre-weekend moment when after-work drinks slide into dinner, on the terrace and deck overlooking the harbour.

A Monaco institution, revived

Opened in 1993 by Kate Powers and Didier Rubiolo, Stars’N’Bars grew from a converted Port Hercule warehouse into one of the Principality’s best-known gathering places — a rare spot where families, yacht crews, entrepreneurs and visitors mixed without ceremony. After it closed, the address hosted the well-being concept Conscientiae and then the restaurant Marius, before its operators returned to the original community-first idea this summer. As Monaco Life reported at the time, the June relaunch also brought back many of the venue’s signature dishes.

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Photo source: Stars of Monaco

Italian President Mattarella to make first state visit to Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/09/2026

Sergio Mattarella, the President of the Italian Republic, will make a state visit to Monaco on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd October, the Prince’s Palace has announced — the first state visit to the Principality by an Italian head of state.

The visit comes at the invitation of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene. Mattarella will be accompanied by his daughter, Laura Mattarella, a lawyer who has performed the role of Italy’s first lady since her father took office, her father being a widower.

Close and historic ties

The Palace said the visit reflected the close and historic relationship between the two countries, and pointed to the strength of bilateral relations, the ties of friendship between them and a shared wish to deepen cooperation on matters of common interest.

Mattarella has been President of the Italian Republic since 2015 and is the longest-serving president in the country’s history.

Programme to follow

The detailed programme for the two-day visit will be set out in a further official communication, the Palace said.

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Photo: Sergio Mattarella, credit: European Parliament Flickr

Monaco United makes statement with 9-1 victory in Regional debut

by: Kayla Sauceda
08/09/2026

Monaco United has made a statement in their Regional level debut, securing an impressive 9-1 victory over AS Cannes at home. In their first-ever match at this level, the newly promoted squad delivered an early indication of their ambitions for the season ahead.

After a dominant 2025-2026 season earned Monaco United promotion, the objectives entering this first season at Regional level were clear: to find rhythm, impose their style of play, and win their first home match. Coach Marco Simone and assistant coach Alexandre Gallet included several summer recruits in the starting lineup. The decision reflected the confidence placed in the new additions following the team’s preseason training and preparation.

Speaking on the new additions to the team, Gallet said, “I am not surprised to see them fully integrate into our style of play on the pitch, because they are players we carefully selected to strengthen the squad. The understanding will come with time as we play more matches and train together.”

The opening minutes of the match allowed Monaco United to settle into the game and gradually establish control of possession. Nearly thirty minutes into the game, Monaco United’s Sarah Magnier scored Monaco’s first goal of the season. The breakthrough gave the squad momentum, with Monaco United increasing the pressure and intensity to create more attacking sequences and chances. By halftime, Monaco had turned that breakthrough into a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Returning to the pitch, Monaco United built upon their established momentum. Although AS Cannes scored once, Monaco quickly regained control of the match, scoring six goals throughout the second half and ultimately securing a 9-1 victory at the final whistle. Despite the dominant result, Gallet explained that there is still more to come from the squad, admitting that they are “not yet at 100%.”

Marie Achouri, a new face for Monaco United this season, said, “We have a collective project, and I felt that determination from the very first training sessions. On the pitch, the automatisms will develop over time, but we are already well organised, as today’s result clearly shows.”

As the club emphasises development and growth across many levels, the U18 team also began their Coupe de France campaign. Traveling to Mougins, Monaco United was victorious with a 2-0 win after a strong collective performance. The team will now continue their Coupe de France ambitions, while developing their skills as they represent the future of the club.

Although one match alone will not define Monaco United’s season, an opening 9-1 victory offers a convincing indication that last year’s momentum has carried into the start of this season. With another promotion among the club’s ambitions, this opening result offers a promising start towards that goal.

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Photo credit: Flare Vision

Monaco–Australia business and networking event at MYS

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/09/2026

The Monaco Economic Board and the Australian Association of Monaco are to host a Monaco–Australia business and networking reception during this year’s Monaco Yacht Show, in what the organisers are billing as a “first-of-its-kind” gathering between the two.

The reception will be held on Thursday 24th September from 6pm to 8pm at the Sanlorenzo Monaco Lounge, 2 rue Imberty, falling on the second day of the show, which runs from 23rd to 26th September at Port Hercule. It is being staged with the support of the Embassy of Monaco to Australia, and in the presence of Australia’s Ambassador to Monaco, Lynette Wood, and Monaco’s Ambassador to Australia Marie-Pascale Boisson.

A growing partnership

The evening is intended to bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs and institutional representatives from both countries. The organisers describe it as a chance to foster new connections and business opportunities, and to mark what they call the growing economic partnership between the Principality and Australia. The choice of the Sanlorenzo Monaco Lounge places it firmly within the orbit of the Monaco Yacht Show, the Principality’s marquee autumn event and, this year, its 35th edition.

How to attend

Places are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Those wishing to attend are asked to register by email with Sharon Benassi at the Monaco Economic Board (sbenassi@meb.mc, +377 97 98 68 68) before 15th September.

Monaco Life is written by qualified journalists, writing original content. Sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok. 

Photo by Monaco Life