OPMC 2023/2024 season: Musical events you should not miss

The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra’s highlights include a tribute to Prince Rainier III.

The OPMC faithful were out in force on Tuesday 20 June at the Auditorium Rainier III. Among those present were Patrice Cellario, Minister of the Interior, Françoise Gamerdinger, Director of Cultural Affairs, Maryse Battaglia, representing the President of the National Council Brigitte Boccone-Pagès, Virginie Cotta, representing the CEO of the SBM Stéphane Valeri, Smadar Eisenberg, President of the Friends of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra and Mr René Giuliano, Episcopal Delegate to the Culture Department.

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Kazuki Yamada, Artistic and Musical Director of the OPMC for nearly ten years, and Didier de Cottignies, Artistic Delegate, presented the upcoming season and its major highlights, as they do every year.

“The new season provides a wide variety of programmes,” said Kazuki Yamada. “Not only will you hear conductors and soloists you already know, but our aim is to introduce you to new artists too. For example, Tarmo Peltokoski, a talented musician who, at just 23, has become Musical Director of the Orchestre national du Capitole in Toulouse. (…) Simon Trpčeski will be the artist in residence. He is one of the most admired artists and one of the few musicians who can energise audiences. (…) We’ll be playing Gustav Mahler’s Song of the Earth. The work was heavily influenced by Asian philosophy, and I’m delighted to be able to perform it in Monaco. It forms a link with my roots.”

Honouring Prince Rainier III

The OPMC is also contributing to the celebrations to mark the centenary of the birth of Prince Rainier III, from the very start of the season.

A chamber music concert on 17 September will highlight some of the lesser-known aspects of the Prince, who was a great patron of a number of artists, including Christine Rossi, an accordionist who was able to complete her studies thanks to the Prince’s financial support. She will be there for the occasion.

Pieces by Nadia Boulanger, an artist who was very close to the Princely Family of Monaco, will also be performed. Nikolai Kuznetsov, the latest winner of the Monte-Carlo Piano Masters, will also be taking part. “This is a concert that I strongly advise you to come and see,” said Didier de Cottignies. “You’re in for an extraordinary musical treat!”

On 24 September, Kazuki Yamada will conduct the opening concert, featuring works by Andrzej Panufnik and Gustav Mahler. “Andrzej Panufnik’s work was commissioned by the Prince in 1963 and given its world premiere at the Prince’s Palace in 1964,” said the Artistic Delegate.

Rachmaninoff and Mozart at the heart of the season

A series of five concerts in tribute to Russian composer Serge Rachmaninoff will feature during the season. The artist, born in 1873, would have been 150 this year. It is an opportunity to stage several symphonic concerts, including one conducted by Kazuki Yamada.

Meanwhile, “Mozart in Monaco,” launched two years ago, continues with four unmissable dates, including two “Happy Hour” dates. Didier de Cottignies was also delighted to note the growing popularity of these reduced-price concerts: “they are developing really well and audience numbers are growing. 41 OPMC musicians take part in these chamber music concerts, it’s spectacular!”

Charlie Chaplin in Monaco

There is also something for the younger audience: film-concerts are also scheduled, including the Charlie Chaplin classic The Kid.

Other ‘young listener’ concerts are also planned, including a Circus Celebration as part of the Prince Rainier III centenary commemorations. Also not to be missed: the Cabot-Caboche and Ondin and the Little Mermaid symphonic concerts.

A special Valentine’s Day concert

Unfortunately, because of the Prince’s commemorations this year, the OPMC will not be able to give its traditional Christmas concert – which will be back next year – but on 9 February it will however be putting on a Valentine’s Day concert, conducted by one of the season’s two female conductors: the Mexican artist Alondra de la Parra.

It will feature works that go beyond the classical repertoire. West Side Story, Porgy and Bess by Gershwin, and Libertango will be part of this special concert for lovers.

You will find all the concerts for the 2023/2024 season on the OPMC website. Show and season ticket prices are available here.

Extra info:

Did you know? Five concerts by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra will be broadcast in France by Radio Classique. The classical station sent audience figures for last year: the five performances attracted over a million listeners!