Summer

Summer in Monaco, the Glittering Season

The Gala of the Monaco Red Cross is indisputably the grandest charity gala evening in the world. It brings together, within the confines of the Salle des Etoiles of the Monte-Carlo Sporting Club, high society as well as donors who come from across the world.

The Honour Court of the Princely Palace of Monaco opens its doors in July and August to a series of classical music concerts. Many renowned orchestras come to play the works of Strauss, Mozart and Beethoven.

The Monte-Carlo Television Festival was established in 1961 by H.S.H. Prince Rainier III who wanted "to encourage a new form of art, in the service of peace and understanding between men." The Golden Nymph is awarded to the best audio-visual creation. International stars meet for a week in Monte-Carlo, for exclusive conferences, public screenings…

Since it was set up, the Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival hosts international artists every year in a prestigious setting: the Salle des Etoiles of the Sporting d’Eté. With an exceptional programme of concerts, this festival has become one of the essential places in summer evenings in the Principality.

The Mondial du Théâtre, an event set up by the Studio de Monaco (a Monegasque arts group founded in 1939) has been organised every four years since 1957. Its most recent edition was in August, 2017. Every evening for ten days, hundreds of amateur actors offer three plays from different countries played in their original language. A real cultural tour of the world without leaving your theatre seat.

In July and August, Fort Antoine dans la Ville works towards the development of a living, popular, mixed theatre in tune with contemporary creation. Working closely with an enthusiastic audience, artists love to perform there, in the warm summer nights, so close to the sky and the sea which merge here in these unique surroundings.

The International Pyromelodical Fireworks Competition, established by Monaco City Hall in 1966 on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of the Monte-Carlo district, the essential International Pyromelodical Fireworks Competition, takes place during the summer season, with four evenings which punctuate summer and light up the skies of Monaco. The natural amphitheatre made by the bay of Port Hercule forms an ideal setting for this competition, sending the awesome echo of the explosions back to sea.

With the return of summer, the Monaco International Organ Festival sets up again in the Cathedral around the great Thomas organ. Thanks to a new video link, the audience can follow more closely the ballet of hands and feet of the artists at the console of the monumental instrument of 4 keyboards and 80 pipes.

Every season is a delight in the Principality...

The Literary Prize, the Musical Composition Prize, and the International Prize of Contemporary Art are awarded throughout the year by the Prince Pierre Foundation in Monaco, with the aim of promoting contemporary art. The Foundation was set up in 1966 by H.S.H. Prince Rainier III as a tribute to the memory of his father, Prince Pierre, a great defender of the arts and literature. It organises a number of conferences on a wide range of themes, featuring highly renowned speakers.

From comedy to jazz, from the classics to puppet shows, from visual performances to funny one-man productions, in French, English, Italian and German, the Théâtre Princesse Grace, at the behest of its founder H.S.H. Princess Grace, lives and breathes eclecticism.

Under the direction of its new Artistic and Musical Director Kazuki Yamada, the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra will transport you to all four corners of the Earth.

The Monte-Carlo Opera offers a brilliant presentation of the operatic arts, with exceptional productions such as Verdi’s Nabucco, performed for the first time in the Principality in 2002 with a Chorus of 120 singers, 60 extras, a large corps of dancers, and 300 costumes. It also presents baroque operas which have been entirely revamped and delightful operettas. Under the direction of Jean-Louis Grinda, the Opera offers a programme full of charm, surprise and talent.

From Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes to the current company led by Jean-Christophe Maillot, the Ballets de Monte-Carlo have navigated a century in the history of dance with passion. Director and choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot has been able to move the company towards contemporary creativity through both his own works and by partnering with internationally renowned choreographers who are regularly invited to Monaco.

Over the months, the Ballets, the Philharmonic Orchestra, the Opera and the Théâtre Princesse Grace all present original performances of outstanding quality.