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Through the eyes of a prince

by: Stephanie Horsman
20/01/2021

Prince Michael of Yugoslavia has combined his love for Monaco and passion for photography in one exhibition titled ‘Promenade dans Monaco’ at the Banque Havilland Monaco.

Prince Michael of Yugoslavia has worn many hats in his life. He has tried his hand at careers as diverse as investment executive, real estate broker, socialite and philanthropist. But his true passion is photography.
Using his love of the medium combined with considerable talent, he joined with Banque Havilland Monaco to organise an exhibit of his works “inspired by life in the Principality”.
Promenade dans Monaco is a series of snapshots of life in the Principality featuring unique seaside perspectives, iconic landmarks and beautiful landscapes to portray the country in all its diversity.
“I am happy to present my exhibition Promenade dans Monaco held at the Bank Havilland in Monaco,” Prince Michael said on his social media page alongside sample pieces from the event.
The exhibition was made possible through Banque Havilland’s programme to promote local artists and personalities.
Son of Prince Alexandre of Yugoslavia and Princess Maria Pia of Savoy, Prince Michael cultivated a passion for photography in his childhood and has participated in several exhibitions both in the US and across Europe. He credits his love of art to his mother, who had an excellent eye.
“Since we were not rich, rather than buying, my mother was often changing the placement of furniture (in our home). Volumes and perspectives were always evolving,” he says, reminiscing on his entry into the world of visuals.
As a young man, his royal family was forced to live in exile. As a result, he spent a lot of time travelling and this is where his appreciation was cultivated further. “On each trip I would visit art fairs. I was reunited with a whole group of friends in all these large cities. During these years, I would sharpen my look on art and paintings, but also on photography.”
Prince Michael’s style has been called “well-groomed and rigorous, where every detail is thought of” allowing people to see Monaco with fresh eyes and new angles.
The exhibition began on 1st January 2021 and will run until the end of April at Banque Havilland Monaco on Boulevard des Moulins. Visits can be made by appointment only.
 
Photo © Michel de Yougoslavie
 
 

Crucial funding continues for Monaco's main cultural centre

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/01/2021

The Grimaldi Forum’s largest sponsor, CMB, has renewed its partnership for 2021, securing Monaco’s world-class cultural programme for the year including the exciting Alberto Giacometti summer exhibition.
The partnership was signed in front of the press on Wednesday by CMB Monaco Chairman Etienne Franzi, CMB CEO Francesco Grosoli, Grimaldi Forum Chairman Henri Fissore and Grimaldi Forum General Manager Sylvie Biancheri.
It marked the continuation of a 16-year union between the two Monegasque companies, and was particularly significant for Sylvie Biancheri, who told Monaco Life: “Following the difficult times of 2020, the fact that the CMB accepted to renew their partnership at the same level as 2019 is very important to us.”

Photo: CMB Monaco Chairman Etienne Franzi, CMB CEO Francesco Grosoli, Grimaldi Forum Chairman Henri Fissore and Grimaldi Forum General Manager Sylvie Biancheri, by Monaco Life.

The funding allows the Grimaldi Forum to push ahead with its major concerts, congresses and exhibitions for the year, particularly the incredibly popular summer exhibition which this year takes the theme: Alberto Giacometti, A Restrospective, Marvelous Reality.
“We have been planning the Giacometti exhibition for three years, and it would have been disastrous to not have the support of CMB because of what happened in 2020. It is an enormous relief,” said Ms Biancheri.

For Etienne Franzi, the sponsorship symbolises CMB’s confidence in the dynamic company and the private bank’s commitment to contributing to the cultural influence of the Principality.
“It is important for the CMB to keep its strong partnership with the Grimaldi Forum because it is the heart of culture in the Principality,” Mr Franzi told Monaco Life. “Putting our name close to the Grimaldi Forum is even more crucial today because culture is one of the sectors suffering most, and it is important that we are here to support and work hand in hand with the forum in the weeks and months ahead.”
The Grimaldi Forum is proving very resilient in light of the event cancellations that took place in 2020 and the postponements that continue to unfold this year. Sylvie Biancheri has a very positive outlook for 2021 because, she says, the team has learnt to adapt.
“We have been working as though 2021 is completely normal in terms of programming,” she said. “We will be delivering the best. However, to minimise risk, we are organising more events from France.”
Meanwhile, disruptive works related to the neighbouring land extension which were due to take place in autumn have been brought forward to the start of the year, capitalising on a slow first quarter.
 
Photo of the Grimaldi Forum by Cassandra Tanti for Monaco Life, all rights reserved
 

Luxury collections auction at the Hermitage

by: Stephanie Horsman
06/01/2021

Featuring at this year’s winter sales by Artcurial will be ‘Property of a Lady’, a special collection of over 100 exquisite jewellery pieces accumulated by one owner over the course of four decades.

Artcurial Monaco will be hosting its winter auction from 19th to 21st January at the Hermitage Hotel where unique pieces of jewellery, exceptional timepieces and stunning ladies handbags will go under the gavel to the highest bidders.

“Our fine jewellery, collector watches and Hermès and luxury handbags departments unearthed wonderful treasures during a very active and positive quarter. This season will be deeply marked by the irresistible ‘Property of a Lady’ collection which includes a meticulously curated selection of highly original and elegant Cartier jewellery and watches,” said Louise Grether, Director of Artcurial Monaco.

There will be two preview days, on 17th and 18th, where buyers can narrow their choices before the actual event.

First up on Tuesday 19th January at noon will be over 60 lots of Hermes handbags. Also going up for sale are handbags from Louis Vuitton, Dior and Chanel.

The Hermes collections feature newer editions such as the 24/24 and the mini Roulis, as well as several limited-edition models like a Birkin Tressage 30 and a Birkin Shadow 35 as well as a super rare mini Constance 18 in Salvador lizard with gold plating.

Then at 4pm, roughly 50 men’s watches go on the block. Included in the auction are an extremely hard to find Philippe Patek from 1945. This particular watch has been in the same family since it was first purchased and is of “dazzling quality”. Additionally, there will be two Rolex Comex watches and a Paul Newman Daytona up for grabs.

The following day, 20th January at 11am, 2pm and 5pm, more than 330 lots of exquisite jewellery will be available to bid on, including a collection of over 100 pieces being offered by the same owner and collected over a 40-year period from her husband. Artcurial is calling this special compilation ‘Property of a Lady’ and it features bracelets, rings and necklaces from various well-known jewellers such as Tiffany, Garrard and Asprey, but also a fine collection of Cartier pieces including many made with the iconic panther design.

Pink, blue, yellow and white diamonds are also going under the gavel, one being an exceptional stone of 29 carats. The pieces being sold range from the Art Deco era to the 1980’s and include works from artists such as César, Boivin and Lalanne.

The final day will be dedicated to ladies’ timepieces from 2pm on 21st January with more than 80 watches being presented, including 34 from the ‘Property of a Lady’ collection.

 
 

New ballet schedule

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/12/2020

The Monte-Carlo Ballet will now be starting all performances at 4pm to ensure audiences can return home in time for the 9.30pm curfew.
The Ballets de Monte-Carlo has a full dance card this holiday season and is inviting Monaco to join in, albeit a little earlier than normal.
From 19th December to 3rd January, the public will be treated to three large-scale narrative ballets: Cinderella,Romeo and Juliet and LAC, done choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot’s way.
These modern reinterpretations of traditional ballets is a speciality of Maillot, giving audiences a chance to see some old favourites through new eyes.
Cinderella will be performed at the Grimaldi Forum on 19th and 20th December, Romeo and Juliet will bookend Christmas and be performed on the 23rd and the 26th December, and LAC, Maillots Swan Lake, will delight on 30th and 31st December and again on 2nd and 3rd January.
For the end-of-the-year festivities, the Grimaldi Forum will host a ‘100% Jean-Christophe Maillot’ choreographic fireworks display with Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo to celebrate his 60th birthday.
All start times are 4pm to ensure compliance with the current rules regarding curfews.
The ballets will all be accompanied by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Igor Dronov and Kazuki Yamada.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the website at www.balletsdemontecarlo.com
 
Photo: LAC by Alice Blangero
 
 

Christmas fun at the Hôtel de Paris

by: Cassandra Tanti
03/12/2020

In the elegant setting of the Hôtel de Paris courtyard, amongst giant palms and sparkling firs, winter “greenhouses” are offering a unique and charming experience this winter.
From now until 10th January, the ‘Christmas garden on the patio’ will feature a creative programme of activities headed by skilled professionals who are sharing their precious knowledge for this festive event.
Workshops are being held on everything from ceramics and illustrations, floral door wreaths and natural candles, to culinary lessons on making gingerbread and galette des Rois – all to be enjoyed afterwards at home.
Monaco Life was invited to a workshop for the press on Tuesday, led by the very talented SBM Pastry Chef Cédric Campanella.

Creative workshop in the Hotel de Paris, photo by Monaco Life

Inside a cosy glasshouse, with rain falling gently outside, we were instructed on how to make a beautiful chocolate Christmas tree, using a mixture of ébéne dark chocolate and bio ceiba milk chocolate, decorated with festive dried fruits and nuts.
Everything was provided, including our very own Monte-Carlo Catering aprons, while the highest health standards were maintained. It was surprisingly easy and incredibly satisfying to return home to my two young girls with my creation.
My (slightly wonky) handmade Christmas tree

But the kids don’t have to miss out. There are specific workshops designed for parents and their children.
And the best part? If your chocolate Christmas tree is too topsy turvy, or your galette de Rois is a little flat, you can just pop over to the “chalet” next door and pick up some treats that have been prepared by Chef Philippe Joannes and his team at Monte-Carlo Catering!

The 1.5-hour workshops cost 75€ per person, or 120€ for an adult and child.
There is also the possibility to reserve the greenhouse for private dinners with a 4-course Winter Gourmet Menu from 180€ per person excluding drinks.
For more details and reservations, call +377 98 06 71 71.
 
Main photos credit: SBM Monte Carlo
 
 
 

It's all happening at the Opera

by: Stephanie Horsman
03/12/2020

It’s a weekend of fantastic musical choices as the Opera de Monte-Carlo is set to host Verdi’s I Due Foscari with legendary tenor Placido Domingo and broadcast a concert marking the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival’s 15th year.

Music will be everywhere in Monaco this weekend, starting on Saturday 5th December with L’Opera de Monte-Carlo performing Verdi’s I Due Foscari featuring Placido Domingo. The celebrated tenor first sang in Monaco 40 years ago and will be stopping in Monaco as part of his triumphant European tour.

Grammy Award-winning Domingo, who has played over 150 roles and performed 4,000 times on stage, will be joined on stage by fellow tenor Francesco Meli, who has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, the Salzburg Festival and the Vienna Opera. Also on stage will be soprano Anna Pirozzi, applauded in Salzburg and the Verona Arena, and who sang I Due Foscari at La Scala in Milan.

After the excitement of the opera, Sunday will bring another wonderful musical event. The Monte Carlo Jazz Festival, which was cancelled last month due to the pandemic, will be part of a televised broadcast featuring 13 of the most talented French jazz musicians on the scene today.

The broadcast, a co-production by Mezzo, Monaco Info and Culturebox, will be at the Opera Garnier and will include performances by Thomas Dutronc, Robin McKelle, Hugh Coltman, Célia Kameni, Sly Johnson, Charles Pasi, Sophie Alour, Airelle Besson, Anne Paceo, Manu Katché, Thomas Bramerie and Rocky Gresset who will share the stage of the Opéra Garnier under the musical direction of Eric Légnini.

The concert is by private by invitation only starting at 5pm on Sunday, but for those who cannot attend, they can enjoy the music from the comfort of home.

 

Photo credit: SBM Monte Carlo