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City Guide  - Geneva  - Culture
Culture

It was Voltaire's own theatrical productions in the Château de Ferney in 1759 that initiated the theatrical tradition in Geneva. In 1783, the Théâtre de Neuve was built and this was replaced by the present Grand Théâtre de Genève, designed in the style of the Second Empire and directly inspired by the Paris Opera House. Today, the 1500-seat theatre is extremely active, with strong opera, ballet and choral seasons.

The Geneva Tourist Office and weekly guide Genève Agenda (in French and English) provide information on cultural events. The central ticket office Billetel (tel: (022) 311 9970) is located at Arcade d'Information on the Pont de la Machine.

Music: Pinchas Steinberg succeeded Fabio Luisi as the artistic director of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in January 2001. The majority of productions are performed in the Grand Théâtre, Boulevard du Théâtre 11 (tel: (022) 418 3130). The orchestral season runs from September to June, and the repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary. The prestigious Victoria Hall, Rue du Général-Dufour 14 (tel: (022) 328 8121), welcomes local groups such as Geneva Chamber Music and international orchestras and performers. The climax of the musical year is the International Competition for Musical Performers, a contest for young international musicians.

There are about eight major opera productions a year, performed largely at the Grand Théâtre, but also at the Salle Théodore Turrettini, Place des Volontaires 2, in the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices, a former factory on the banks of the River Rhône.

Theatre: Geneva has some 40 theatres, whose repertoire ranges from classical to avant-garde. While plays are normally in French, there are several popular English-language amateur groups. The main venue is the Comédie de Genève, Boulevard des Philosophes 6 (tel: (022) 320 5001), which has a classical and contemporary repertoire. The Théâtre Le Poche-Genève, Rue du Cheval-Blanc 7 (tel: (022) 310 3759), specialises in contemporary drama.

Dance: Giorgio Mancini is responsible for the artistic direction of the Ballet du Grand Théâtre, whose varied repertory ranges from neo-classical to contemporary. In addition to the main ballet season from September to June, the company organises a number of thematic evenings at the Grand Théâtre and in local theatres such as the Théâtre du Loup, Chemin de la Gravière 10. The 46-strong choir of the Grand Théâtre regularly participate in the ballet and opera seasons.

Film: Geneva is the cinema capital of French-speaking Switzerland. Homegrown stars include Jean-Luc Bideau, whose career was launched by the Swiss director Alain Tanner in La Salamandre. The most well known, among over 30 cinemas (website: www.cinema.ch), are the large 7 Rialto Metrocine complex, Place de Cornavin 27 (tel: 0900 900156) and the Central, Rue de Chantepoulet 23 (English information tel: (022) 908 0430). There are also many art cinemas, including Scala, Rue des Eaux-Vives 23 (tel: (022) 736 0422). Many English-language films are shown in their original version (VO), and French-language versions often have English subtitles.

Cultural events: Geneva's main cultural event is the Musical Summer of live concerts, including chamber music, jazz concerts and recitals. Summer is the time for open-air everything. During the summer months, popular films are shown in the city's open-air cinema Cinélac by the lakeside. Free concerts are held in churches all year round and in parks during the summertime. National Day, 1 August, brings fireworks at the Reformation Wall, traditional bonfire and dancing. It is followed closely by the Fêtes de Genève's street parades, street theatre and fireworks. The annual international film festival, Cinéma Tout Ecran, takes place in September.

There are two major musical events, both in July, worth stepping just outside of Geneva for. The Paléo Festival (tel: (022) 361 0101; website: www.paleo.ch) in nearby Nyon, is Switzerland's biggest open-air festival, it includes everything musical from classical to techno, bringing major names like Prodigy, Charles Trenet and Steve Waring. The Montreux Jazz Festival (tel: (021) 623 4567; website: www.montreuxjazz.com) brings together jazz musicians and pop stars. Former performers include Bob Dylan, Buddy Guy, B B King and Bjôrk.

Back in Geneva, the Fête de l'Escalade is Geneva's independence celebration, which commemorates the city's defeat of the Duke of Savoy's troops on 11 December 1602. Each year, fine-quality Swiss chocolate pots bearing the city's coat of arms in red and gold are eaten in large quantities; they represent the cauldron (marmite) of boiling soup that Mère Royaume poured over the city walls to keep the enemy at bay and bring victory to Geneva.

Literary Notes
Geneva has inspired some of Europe's greatest philosophers and writers. Paris-born François Marie Arouet Voltaire (1694-1778) fled from the persecution of the French Church and State to arrive in Geneva in 1755. He stayed in Les Délices, which he fondly described as 'the palace of a philosopher with the garden of an epicure'. The mansion is now a documentation centre, the Institut et Musée Voltaire, Rue des Délices 25 (tel: (022) 344 7133). In Candide (1759), Voltaire described the crushing injustices of the world. An equally convincing argument for freedom and justice came in the form of The Social Contract (1762), by Geneva-born Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). Lord Byron and Mary Shelley's stay in Geneva gave rise to Frankenstein (1818), while the city has most recently inspired actor Sir Peter Ustinov. His novel Monsieur René (1999) is set in modern Geneva.



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