The Grand Théâtre de Genève presents La Grande Histoire de l'opéra (A Grand History of Opera) as part of L'Autre Scène. The show runs at the Conservatoire de Genève from 1 to 6 December 2026.
The story
The Grand Théâtre de Genève created this show in November 2026. A first performance took place on 7 November at the Institut Florimont.
Louis Geisler wrote it from an original idea by Jérémie Lebreton, who also directs.
L'Autre Scène is a Grand Théâtre programme of light, mobile shows staged in different venues.
Who organises it
The Grand Théâtre de Genève produces and organises the show.
What to find
Professor Oduris is giving a lecture on four centuries of opera. A prima donna and her pianist interrupt him.
They take him through key moments of opera, from Monteverdi's L'Orfeo to the opening of the Bayreuth Festival.
The show also recalls the first public opera house in Venice, the scandal of La Traviata and Richard Strauss's farewell to the stage.
One question runs through it. Should music serve the text or dominate it?
The arias come from Bellini, Handel, Mozart, Offenbach, Puccini, Purcell, Rossini, Verdi and Wagner, among others.
Lysa Menu plays the prima donna, Joël Terrin the professor and Arthur Noël is at the piano.
Christian Bovey designed the set and Carole Lacroix the costumes.
The text is spoken in French. The singing is in French, Italian, German and English.
Practical information
- Dates, Tuesday 1 to Sunday 6 December 2026
- Times, Tuesday 1 and Friday 4 Dec. at 7 pm, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 Dec. at 3 pm and 7 pm
- Duration, 1 hr 15 min
- Venue, Conservatoire de Genève, Place de Neuve 5, 1204 Geneva
- Price, from CHF 15
- Age, all audiences, recommended from 12
- Tickets, online or on +41 22 322 50 50
Links
- Grand Théâtre de Genève, show page
- Official Grand Théâtre box office
- All events across French-speaking Switzerland, Genève Infos Agenda
Sources
- Grand Théâtre de Genève, 2026–27 season page, accessed on 14 November 2026
- Grand Théâtre de Genève, show page, accessed on 14 November 2026
- City of Geneva, events calendar, accessed on 14 November 2026
- Geneva Tourism, event page, accessed on 14 November 2026
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