Built in 1879, the Grand Théâtre de Genève is the largest artistic stage in Switzerland and home to the Geneva opera house and the Geneva Ballet Company. Every season, it features nine performance runs of opera, three of dance and a broad range of recitals and cultural, youth-friendly or festive events to develop its audience and honour its public service mission. Gutted by fire in 1951, the building and the front of house retain its original Beaux-Arts style whereas the wood-panelled auditorium, completed in 1961, seats 1500 and boasts a spectacular metalwork security curtain that extends into the ceiling, where 1200 glass stars shine as the house lights. The Grand Théâtre de Genève employs its own opera chorus of 40 singers and has an artistic partnership with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande for its opera season. Since 2019, Aviel Cahn is the general manager of the Grand Théâtre de Genève and since 2022, the Geneva Ballet Company is directed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. The Grand Théâtre de Genève was named Opera Company of the Year in 2020 (Opernwelt).

THE BUILDING
Designed by Jacques­Elisée Goss on a design by Henri Sylvestre, the Grand Théâtre de Genève opened in 1879, in a Beaux­Arts and Second Empire­style building, with a horseshoe­shaped auditorium. In 1951, there was a terrible fire, during a rehearsal of Wagner’s Walkyrie: the auditorium, stage area and roofs were destroyed. It reopened in 1962 after a reconstruction project led by Charles Schopfer, Marco Zavelani­Rossi and Jacek Stryjenski (the latter having designed the huge ceiling inspired by the Milky Way called Alto). The foyers and adjoining areas were then hurriedly restored. The stage area was modernized in 1997 and the stage decks in 2006. Between 2016 and 2019, the Grand Théâtre was closed for renovations and its activities were held at the Opéra des Nations. The Place de Neuve site underwent an architectural renovation (new rehearsal rooms and changing rooms in the basement, meeting room in the attic area), also involving security (upgrading of comfort and fire standards) and heritage items. The foyers and hallways were refurbished, tapestries repaired, damaged marble and faux marble surfaces were restored and the parquet floors recreated. Several modern improvements were introduced, such as the box office reception desks and a Milky Way­type lighting introduced in the Upper Circle and Basement bars. The building reopened on 12 February 2019 with Wagner’s Das Rheingold and an Open Doors day followed by a Mapping on the place de Neuve on 23 March 2019 gathering 14000 people.

Without the skills and tools of the Grand Théâtre de Genève workshops, there could be no costumes, props, furniture or footwear for the productions. Since 1996, these workshops have been divided into three categories: sets, props and costumes, grouping trades as diverse as carpenters, locksmiths, painters and decorators, upholsterers, costume designers, tailors, decorators, costume accessorisers and shoemakers. The talents of the team are recognized by the Swiss Association of Arts and Crafts. They are spread over three sites, in Sainte­Clotilde, Michel­Simon and Verntissa. Some workshops are open to the public once or several times a year.

In 1962, the Grand Théâtre de Genève acquired a permanent ballet company, made up of 22 artists, offering two original choreographic creations per season. Collaborating with choreographers of international renown, over the course of its performances, it has built a worldwide reputation for itself. Today, whilst the premieres are always held in Geneva, the Geneva Ballet frequently performs outside Switzerland (France, Italy, United States, Russia, Australia, China, Brazil, South Africa…). From the 22–23 Season, the Ballet is under the management of Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.

Founded in 1962, the Chorus of the Grand Théâtre de Genève is made up of over forty professional singers of all nationalities, plus additional choristers, depending on the needs of the program. Every season, the chorus, led by Alan Woodbridge, takes part in the opera productions of the Grand Théâtre.