Tour Dates: 25 June - 15 July, 2013

Steeped in history and tradition the Grand Theatre de Genève is both a venue and an intuition.

Tour Dates: 25 June - 15 July, 2013

Grand Théâtre de Genève, Switzerland

Steeped in history and tradition the Grand Theatre de Genève is both a venue and an intuition. The majestic building, towering over Place Neuve, was officially opened in 1876, partly destroyed by fire in 1951 and reopened in 1962, after extensive refurbishments, the venue now houses the largest stage in Switzerland. As an intuition, it is the largest production and host theatre in French-speaking Switzerland, featuring opera and dance performances, recitals, concerts and, on occasion, theatre. Since its resurrection, many prestigious directors have succeeded at the head of the establishment, in order: Marcel Lamy, 1962-1965; Herbert Graf,1965-1973; Jean-Claude Riber,1973-1980; Hugues Gall, 1980-1995; Renee Auphan, 1995-2001; and Jean-Marie Blanchard, 2001-2009. For the 2009 and 2010 season, Tobias Richter has fulfilled this esteemed position.

The Love for Three Oranges

Opera in four acts with one prologue

Composed by Sergei S. Prokofiev
Libretto by Sergei S. Prokofiev

The king is desperate... his son, who should take over the reign of the kingdom, is incurably melancholic. He will die if the king does not succeed to make him laugh. The last remaining hope is Truffaldino, the joker. Who would have also failed had the evil fairy Fata Morgana not come to a party, which was especially organized for the prince's amusement. She heals the prince's melancholy, completely against her own will, with a pathetic blunder. An alliance between the evil fairy and the King's niece - who has her eye on the throne - prevent an early happy ending. A march through the desert, a love of oranges, princesses who die of thirst and of course the lovely Ninetta promise an evening full of entertainment.

This grotesque piece about the prince and his love for three fruits is a fulminating declaration of love for the theatre.

Reviews

"You would do no better than to scurry to the Grand Theatre of Geneva where this first rate ensemble is producing a snazzy, energetic, in-your-face production of Prokofiev's The Love for Three Oranges."

"Patricia Toffolutti's fashion parade of meaty, varied, multi-faceted costumes provided constant colorful delight. Moreover, her creations were character-specific, greatly helping the actors in embodying their (largely) stock characters."

-- Opera Today, June 2011