Monaco lost 3-2 to Lebanon in the Davis Cup, despite an impressive comeback from 2-0 down. Attention now shifts from promotion to survival in Group II.
Following a comfortable victory against Morocco in March, Monaco went into the two-day tournament, which took place on Friday and Saturday, with the chance to get promoted to Group I of the world-renowned tennis tournament.
However, Monaco found their task much more difficult than they did earlier this year. Deprived of home-court advantage, the Principality side struggled on the hard court of Zouk Mosbeh.
Valentin Vacherot lost the first match in three sets against Hady Habib (1-6, 6-4, 6-3). The Monégasuqes were then left with a mountain to climb when Benjamin Hassan beat Lucas Caterina in straight sets (6-3, 6-1).
Monaco began their comeback in the doubles, as Hugo Nys and Romain Arneodo won in three sets (6-2, 6-7, 4-6). Valentin Vacherot’s victory in the fourth match of the competition (6-3, 7-6) then took the tie to a thrilling decider.
However, it wasn’t to be for Monaco. Habib beat Nys in three sets (6-2, 6-7, 6-2), to give Lebanon the victory, and dash Monaco’s dreams of reaching the top group. Focus now turns to remaining in Group II, and the draw for their next Davis Cup opponent will take place on Tuesday 20th September.
Photo of Monaco Davis Cup team by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
A learn-to-swim programme organised by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation is allowing more than 300 local school children to learn the life-saving skill of swimming.
On Friday 16th September, Secretary General of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation Gareth Wittstock visited the educational facilities of the Sospel swimming pool with other dignitaries.
During the month of September 2022, the Foundation is partnering with the Town of Sospel and the French Swimming Federation (FFN) for the implementation of the ‘Sospel Natation Azur’ project, which aims to teach swimming to Sospel schoolchildren as well as those from the towns of Breil-sur-Roya and Moulinet.
Photo credit: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace
The project will allow nearly 300 children from kindergarten to 6th grade to acquire the minimum skills to ensure their safety in the water during the 10 sessions, and to perform the ‘Sauv’Nage’ test approved by the French Swimming School and the FFN.
On Friday, 70 children from the CP, CE1, CE2 and CM1 classes of the Sospel school were able to enjoy the swimming lessons, supervised by FFN-certified swimming instructors.
The outdoor swimming pool of Sospel, closed for three years, was reopened and renovated in 2022. It will allow for swimming classes to be held on a more regular basis in conjunction with schools and leisure centres.
Photo credit: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace
Normally open in the months of July and August only, the swimming pool will open in the month of June 2023 also for a wider reach of the project.
The project is inspired by the program ‘La Turbie Natation Azur’ which, since 2014, teaches swimming to young children before the beginning of summer at the Princess Charlene Municipal Swimming Pool of La Turbie, thanks to a partnership between the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, the City of La Turbie, the Côte d’Azur Committee and the FFN.
Monaco Sports Group team principal Jérôme D’Ambrosio has left the team after almost two years, during which he guided them to a second position in the Formula E world championship.
In a press release on Friday, the Monaco Sports Group, formerly known as ROKiT Venturi Racing, said that the team and D’Ambrosio had parted ways on “amicable terms”.
The team’s previous campaign saw them narrowly miss out on the Formula E world championship, whilst their driver, Edoardo Mortara, also narrowly missed out on the drivers’ title.
Speaking in the press release, D’Ambrosio said, “After two incredible seasons, my journey with the team comes to an end. As I move forward to pursue new opportunities, I would like to thank everyone in the team for their work and dedication, which has led us to our most competitive campaign to date last season. I would also like to thank Susie, Scott and José for having entrusted me with leading the organisation as team principal.”
He continued, “It has been a privilege and I could not have wished for a better environment to evolve in after transitioning from my racing driver career. I wish everyone in the team the very best as they will be moving into a new era of the championship.”
Scott Swid, principal owner and chairman of Monaco Sports Group, said, “We thank Jérôme for his invaluable contribution over the past two seasons, in which he has played a crucial role in helping to bring our vision for the team to life. On a personal note, I’m extremely proud of what we have achieved together, and by putting the best people in place, we’ve built a strong team with bold aspirations for the future.”
He continued, “With this in mind, I’m excited to see what the future holds for both him and us as we edge closer to the start of Formula E’s next generation of competition this January.”
The upcoming season will see the arrival of the Gen3 car, which was unveiled in Monaco in April. The season is set to get underway on January 14 in Mexico City.
AS Monaco secured a third consecutive Ligue 1 victory against 10-man Reims on Sunday to move them up to fifth in the table before the upcoming international break.
The win sees Philippe Clement’s side soar up the table to fifth. Just three gameweeks ago, Monaco languished in 16th after a combination of questionable refereeing decisions and a difficult schedule saw them struggle for form.
However, their return to form has been confirmed in consecutive Ligue 1 victories again Nice, Lyon and Reims, who are somewhat of a bogey team for Monaco. The Principality side have only beaten them twice in nine attempts since they rejoined the top flight in 2018.
The fixture, the last before the international break, which will pause domestic football for a weekend, also saw a return to form for some key players. Wissam Ben Yedder, who was only outscored by Kylian Mbappé last season, and Takumi Minamino both picked up their first league goals of the season. For the latter, it was his first goal in the red and white of Monaco and will undoubtedly boost his confidence after a difficult start at the club.
However, the 3-0 scoreline doesn’t give a full reflection on the difficulty of the match. For large periods, Monaco struggled to break down Reims, who played the majority of the game with 10-men.
Yehvann Diouf saved well from Breel Embolo, before recovering and producing a spectacular stop to deny Ben Yedder on the rebound. Not long after, the game was turned on its head when Bradley Locko was shown a straight red when he caught Embolo on the follow-through. It was a harsh decision, but given Monaco’s poor luck with refereeing decisions at the beginning of the season, they won’t be complaining.
Monaco breached the Reims’ low-block just after the break. Aleksandr Golovin, who is showing his best form in Monaco colours, backed up his recent performances with a goal, heading in a brilliant Axel Disasi cross-field ball.
Diouf then kept Reims in the game with stunning saves from Mohamed Camara and then again from Ben Yedder. However, Reims couldn’t find an equaliser and a late double from Minamino and Ben Yedder added a sheen to the victory that takes them into the European places and back within striking distance of their rivals for the European places.
Monaco have played more matches than any of their rivals at the beginning of this congested season, and Clement is happy to finish this “sprint within a marathon” on a high.
“It is a good victory for us to finish a long run of matches every three days. I remind you that we are the French team that has played the most matches since the start of the season,” said Clement.
On the performances of Ben Yedder and Minamino, who have the ability to be decisive players for Monaco, Clement said, “I am happy because Wissam is very engaged, and is rewarded by scoring a beautiful goal. I am also happy for Taki’ who came on and finished with a goal and an assist. He was quicker, more agile, and fresher today.”
Monaco now have a well-earned break, although the standout performances of many in the squad have seen them called up to their respective international squads. Youusouf Fofana and Benoît Badiashile will join up with the France squad at Clairefontaine for the first time. Those who remain in La Turbie have a slightly reduced schedule but will face Genoa in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Thursday.
Monaco fans will have to wait until 2nd October for the return of competitive action as the Principality side host FC Nantes at the Stade Louis II.
Photo by AS Monaco
Prince congratulates environmentally-focussed King Charles on ascension to the throne
Prince Albert II has officially congratulated King Charles III on his ascension to the British throne. He inherits the title following the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II.
In an official dispatch from the Palace, Prince Albert evoked King Charles’ devotion to sustainability, a paramount issue on the Principality’s agenda, as an ideologically binding topic between the Princely and the Royal Family.
King Charles has long been an advocate of environmental politics and in 2020 he spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he detailed the environmental crises that threaten the world.
The Palace statement released on Friday 16th September reads:
“It is a true pleasure to offer you our warmest congratulations on the occasion of your ascension to the throne.
The Princess and I wish you every success in leading the people of the United Kingdom and the many great nations of the Commonwealth. I am confident that under your reign, peace and stability will continue to prosper.
I look forward to seeing the important work you have achieved throughout your life further flourish in the years to come. Notably, the great weight you place on sustainability, the fight against climate change and ocean conservation issues that I know we both feel are paramount for the future of our planet.
On behalf of the citizens of the Principality of Monaco, it is my honour to share our best wishes of good health and prosperity.”
The Palace also released photographs of Prince Albert and Prince Charles together.
Prince Charles at the Hôtel de Paris with Prince Albert and Princess Caroline in April 1977. Photo courtesy Archives du Palais Princier
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last Thursday, the Princely family has paid tribute to the longest-serving British monarch. As well as releasing a public letter of condolence, the Prince’s Palace flew the Monégasque flag at half mast.
Upon the death of his mother, Prince Charles immediately ascended to the throne, and the funeral of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, will take place in London on Monday 19th.
Prince Albert and Prince Charles in the bay of Monaco in April 1977. Photo courtesy G. Lukomski Archives Palais princier
Photo above of Prince Albert II and King Charles III during Prince Haakon of Norway’s marriage in 2001, credit NIVIERE SIPA
It was a packed house at the Opera Garnier on Friday 16th September as opera singer Cecilia Bartoli presented the upcoming schedule for the Opera de Monte-Carlo, her first as director.
“It is with great joy that I present you my first season as director of the Monte Carlo Opera,” said Cecilia Bartoli during the presentation at the Salle Garnier. “I would like to think that it reflects the soul of this prestigious theatre, as I see it: a careful look at history but turned towards the future, a variety of styles and genres, glamour, grandeur, but also proximity; and of course the highest standards in the quality of performance, guaranteed in particular by the presence of some of the greatest names in our profession.”
Bartoli said that it was important for her to create “continuity”, and to build on the foundations of success laid by her predecessor Jean-Louis Grinda, who was also part of the 2023 season presentation.
The director, a renowned opera singer herself, then presented the 2023 programme, a journey from Monteverdi to Giordano, from 1607 to the late 19th century.
“In many ways, the passage also reflects my personal voyage, and I am proud that many of the artists I have had the pleasure of working with over the years are joining and supporting me in this new adventure, a major step in my life.”
Cecilia Bartoli, Opera de Monte Carlo, photo credit: Fabrice Demessence
Cecilia Bartoli will kick of the season starring in Alcina for four shows from 20th January, a musical drama in three acts with music by George Frideric Handel.
This will be followed by a “concert of the heart” of Stabat Mater for one night only on 25th January, featuring tenor Celso Albelo and soprano Maria Agresta.
In February, the Opera Andrea Chénier will be performed over four nights, an historic drama with Jonas Kaufman performing the role of Chénier.
Daniel Barenboim will take to the stage for a piano concert on 10th March. Born in Buenos Aires, Barenboim is described as a true citizen of the world whose artistic ventures are as varied as his cultural influences.
The melodramatic opera La Traviata, a Jean-Louis Grinda production created in 2013, returns for four nights in March as “a symbol of harmonious handover of power and a sign of true understanding”, according to the opera. These performances will also be an opportunity to celebrate the return of Placido Domingo to a stage he last walked on as a singer in 1980.
On 20th March, the Vienna Philharmonic will give a unique performance of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, conducted by Phillip Jordan.
By April, the Il Barbiere di Siviglia opera will feature on the Monegasque stage, a production by the Festival of Salzbourg. On 20th February 1816, just as Carnival week was approaching its climax, Giachino Rossini’s Il Barberie di Siviglia had its (eventful) premiere at Teatro Argentina in Rome. Delighting in masks and disguise, parody and the grotesque, it is permeated through and through with the spirit of carnival.
Ending the season on 17th April is the marionette opera L’Orfeo, going back to the beginnings of the history of opera. Thanks to the 200-year-old puppet company Carlo Colla & Figli, L’Orfeo, created in 1607, will appear for the first time in Monte Carlo in a form that will appeal to the most demanding music lovers, as well as the youngest spectators.
Season subscription and individual ticket pre-booking is now open by internet at www.opera.mc and mail. Former subscribers have priority on 30th September.
From Wednesday 2nd November 2022, ticket bookings will be open by telephone, at the box office and on montecarloticket.mc.
Photo above credit: Marco Borrelli, OMC
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