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; website: www.billetel.org) 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 (website: www.osr.ch) in January 2001. The majority of productions are performed in the Grand Theatre, Boulevard du Théâtre 11 (tel: (022) 418 3130; website: www.geneveopera.ch). The orchestral season runs from September to June, and the repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary. The prestigious Victoria Hall, Rue du General-Dufour 14 (tel: (022) 328 8121), welcomes local groups such as Geneva Chamber Music and international orchestras and performers. The building was financed by the British Consul General, Daniel Firzerlad Barton, and named after both the British monarch and his own wife Victoria Alexandra. The hall was originally built for the consul's orchestra, L'Harmonie Nautique, which played during the boating season from 1891-93, and was given to the city in 1904. The climax of the musical year is the International Competition for Musical Performers, a contest for young international musicians. Many important concerts are given by students at the Conservatoire de Musique, Rue Petitot 8 (tel: (022) 319 6060; website: www.musnov1.unige.ch). There are about eight major opera productions a year, performed largely at the Grand Theatre but also at the Salle Theodore 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 Theatre Le Poche-Geneve, (Rue du Cheval-Blanc 7, tel: 022/ 310 3759), founded in 1978, specialises in contemporary drama.
Am Stram Gram (56 rte. de Frontenex, tel: 022/7357924), the children's theater, makes magic with every production, whether drawing inspiration from obscure myth, lyric poetry, Shakespeare, or contemporary writing. The creative performances are all in French.
The Comedie de Geneve (6 blvd. des Philosophes, tel: 022/3205001), which presents international classics (translated into French) and contemporary drama, is known for its innovative staging.
The Theatre du Grutli (16 rue du General-Dufour, tel: 022/ 3289868) fills its spare, flexible space with experimental theater, modern dance, and foreign plays (translated into French).
Dance
Giorgio Mancini is responsible for the artistic direction of the Ballet du Grand Theatre, 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 Theatre du Loup, Chemin de la Graviere 10. The 46-strong choir of the Grand Theatre, Boulevard du Theatre 11 (tel: (022) 418 3130; website: www.geneveopera.ch), 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 arthouse 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 Eté Musicale (Musical Summer) of live concerts, including chamber music, jazz concerts and recitals, from July to September. Summer is the time for open-air everything. Popular films are shown in the city's open-air cinema, Cinelac, by the lakeside, free concerts are held in churches all year round and in parks and National Day, 1 August, brings fireworks at the Reformation Wall, traditional bonfire and dancing. This is followed closely by the Fêtes de Genève's street parades, street theatre and fireworks from 2-11 August. The annual international film festival, Cinema Tout Ecran, takes place in October (website: www.cinema-tout-ecran.ch).
There are two major musical events worth stepping just outside of Geneva for and both take place in July. The Paleo 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 together major names like Prodigy, Charles Trenet and Steve Waring. The Montreux Jazz Festival (tel: (021) 623 4567; website: www.montreuxjazz.com) showcases a mixture of jazz musicians and pop stars. Former performers include Bob Dylan, Buddy Guy, B B King and Bjork. Meanwhile, back in Geneva, the Fete de l'Escalade (website: www.escalade.ch) is Geneva's independence celebration, which commemorates the city's victory over the Duke of Savoy's troops on 11 December 1602. Each year, fine-quality Swiss chocolate pots (Marmite d'Escalade) bearing the city's coat of arms in red and gold and adorned with marzipan 'vegetables' are eaten in large quantities. These represent and are sweet reminders of the cauldron of boiling soup that Mère Royaume poured over the city walls to keep the enemy at bay and bring victory to Geneva. It's a colourful affair as people parade through in the streets in 17th-century dress to the sounds of fifes and drums.
Special Events
International Exhibition of Inventions, new techniques and products exhibition, 3-7 Apr 2002, Palexpo
Geneva International Fair for Books, press and multimedia fair, 26-30 Apr, Palexpo
Europ'Art, international art fair, 26-30 Apr, Palexpo
Music Festival, 14-16 Jun, many venues
Bol d'Or Regatta, 15-16 Jun, Port Noir, Lake Geneva to Le Bouveret and back
Paleo Festival, music festival, Jul, Nyon
Ete Musicale (Musical Summer), live concerts and recitals, Jul-Sep, many venues
Cinelac, open-air film festival, Jul-Aug, Port Noir, Lake Geneva
Fourth of July Celebrations, the largest outside the USA, 4 July, throughout the city
Montreux Jazz Festival, 6-21 Jul, Montreux
National Day, fireworks, bonfire and dancing, 1 Aug, Reformation Wall and Parc des Bastions
Fetes de Geneve, street parades, street theatre and fireworks (website: www.fetes-de-geneve.ch), 2-11 Aug, throughout the city
Le Batie Festival, music and theatre (website: www.batie.ch), 29 Aug-14 Sep, Batie Woods
Cinema Tout Ecran, annual international film festival, Oct, various venues
International Fair of Minerals, Fossils and Gems, 5-6 Oct, Palexpo
Geneva Fair, 50th Ideal Home Exhibition, 6-17 Nov, Palexpo
Antiques Fair, 21-24 Nov, Palexpo
Fete de l'Escalade, independence celebrations and parade, 11 Dec (and weekend), throughout the city
Course de l'Escalade (the Escalade Run), 11 Dec, throughout the city
World of Golf, Golf Exhibition, Jan 2003, Palexpo
International Motor Show, Mar, Palexpo
