Monte-Carlo Opera's 2025-2026 Season Celebrates Women and Innovation
The upcoming season highlights the themes of women's independence and power through diverse performances and modern technology.
The Monte-Carlo Opera has announced its programming for the 2025-2026 season, focusing on the theme of women, embodying power, grace, independence, and revolutionary spirit.
This thematic journey will range from the works of Joséphine Baker to Richard Wagner's "Die Walküre" and Giuseppe Verdi's "Aida."
Central to this season's visual identity is an image representing emancipation, featuring a black female figure symbolizing overcoming adversity.
Jordane Michard, the Opera's communications and marketing director, noted that Baker serves as a vital historical figure, whose legacy as a symbol of struggle and resilience remains significant even fifty years after her passing.
The opera will pay homage to Baker with a special revue titled "Bonsoir Monte-Carlo," which will showcase various moments from her life and include performances of her notable songs, accompanied by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Baker's connection to Monaco is highlighted by her grave's location in the principality and her friendships with prominent figures such as Princess Grace Kelly.
The opera's initiative aims to demystify the art form and encourage broader audiences to engage with it.
Michard affirmed, "The world of opera can seem inaccessible, but we want to motivate new audiences to attend."
The season will also feature "Die Walküre," part of Wagner's famed tetralogy, scheduled for performances on January 23, 25, 27, and 29, 2026. The production will be directed by Italian Davide Livermore, who intends to integrate advanced technology into the staging, such as LED panels for visual projections.
The goal is to attract younger audiences by making opera more visually engaging.
Additionally, the season includes Maurice Maeterlinck's "Pelléas et Mélisande," planned for February 22, 24, 26, and 28, 2026, featuring the efforts of Monaco’s Jean-Louis Grinda as the director.
This season marks a continued effort to engage young opera-goers, a demographic that previously accounted for only 19% of audience attendance among individuals under 30, according to a 2017 study.
Addressing the perceived inaccessibility of opera, Michard expressed a commitment to showcasing both established and emerging talent in a bid to rejuvenate the art form's audience.
Including a family-friendly production of "Cats" from December 14 to 31, 2025, the opera aims to reach diverse audiences by presenting twelve different works from November 2025 to March 2026. This strategy intends to create an inviting atmosphere for everyone, and Michard emphasized the importance of the behind-the-scenes efforts that make each performance successful.
The upcoming season is expected to begin on November 2, 2025, with various performances hosted at the Garnier Hall, Rainier III Auditorium, and the Grimaldi Forum.
This thematic journey will range from the works of Joséphine Baker to Richard Wagner's "Die Walküre" and Giuseppe Verdi's "Aida."
Central to this season's visual identity is an image representing emancipation, featuring a black female figure symbolizing overcoming adversity.
Jordane Michard, the Opera's communications and marketing director, noted that Baker serves as a vital historical figure, whose legacy as a symbol of struggle and resilience remains significant even fifty years after her passing.
The opera will pay homage to Baker with a special revue titled "Bonsoir Monte-Carlo," which will showcase various moments from her life and include performances of her notable songs, accompanied by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Baker's connection to Monaco is highlighted by her grave's location in the principality and her friendships with prominent figures such as Princess Grace Kelly.
The opera's initiative aims to demystify the art form and encourage broader audiences to engage with it.
Michard affirmed, "The world of opera can seem inaccessible, but we want to motivate new audiences to attend."
The season will also feature "Die Walküre," part of Wagner's famed tetralogy, scheduled for performances on January 23, 25, 27, and 29, 2026. The production will be directed by Italian Davide Livermore, who intends to integrate advanced technology into the staging, such as LED panels for visual projections.
The goal is to attract younger audiences by making opera more visually engaging.
Additionally, the season includes Maurice Maeterlinck's "Pelléas et Mélisande," planned for February 22, 24, 26, and 28, 2026, featuring the efforts of Monaco’s Jean-Louis Grinda as the director.
This season marks a continued effort to engage young opera-goers, a demographic that previously accounted for only 19% of audience attendance among individuals under 30, according to a 2017 study.
Addressing the perceived inaccessibility of opera, Michard expressed a commitment to showcasing both established and emerging talent in a bid to rejuvenate the art form's audience.
Including a family-friendly production of "Cats" from December 14 to 31, 2025, the opera aims to reach diverse audiences by presenting twelve different works from November 2025 to March 2026. This strategy intends to create an inviting atmosphere for everyone, and Michard emphasized the importance of the behind-the-scenes efforts that make each performance successful.
The upcoming season is expected to begin on November 2, 2025, with various performances hosted at the Garnier Hall, Rainier III Auditorium, and the Grimaldi Forum.
