ThoseCity of Geneva –The great theater in the face of “a strategic choice”
The renovation of the scene machinery will cost more than expected. The municipal council is offered two options.
Posted: 05.05.2025, 11:08 p.m.
The Grand Théâtre de Genève, its scene and its machinery, in May 2020.
Steeve IUNCKER-GOMEZ
Subscribe now and take advantage of the audio reading function.
At the great theater, the sites are not a sinecure and the one that will open in January 2026 will be no exception. This time, it concerns nothing less than “the heart” of the scene of the new square: machinery, which allows all stage and set movements. Meeting in extraordinary session Monday evening, the city council of the city of Geneva was submitted to an extension request in order to finance the work.
In March 2024, the elected officials had composted without composing a first envelope of 20.5 million francs – a considerably reduced amount thanks to a contribution of 20 million francs from the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation and a participation of 4 million francs from the Geneva municipalities. Only here, this first credit is not enough.
Price increase
This return to the plenum, Sami Kanaan admits that he would have preferred to avoid it. “We were victims of the fact that in Europe several lyrical scenes modernize their facilities at the same time,” said the one who lives his last weeks at the head of municipal culture.
Only one company responded to the city’s call for tenders with a much larger estimate than the budgetary amount, added the magistrate. This impoverishment of competition generates a widespread increase in prices, which is also explained by an increase in energy and transport costs, as well as personnel costs.
From simple to triple
Two variants are offered. Their amount varies from simple to triple. The most expensive is around 17 million francs. It aims to materialize the initial project.
The lower machinery would have an electromechanical technology (now hydraulics) in order to move stage bridges – the bowels of the great theater in a way, which descend up to 13 meters below the tray. It guarantees “spectacular” effects: elevations, hatches and rapid changes of decor in full representation.
The second option costs less than five million francs. It consists of replacing the lower machinery with a detailed fixed floor on two levels. A manual device, which reduces the scenic possibilities.
-The first variant has the preference of the administrative council. According to him, it corresponds more to the expectations of the teams of the opera, the public and the patrons. This device is that in place in other prestigious houses, like the Opera Bastille in Paris or the Deutsche Oper in Berlin.
Otherwise, “a feeling of regression” would be felt in Geneva, fears the administrative council. “This is a strategic choice that will concern the great theater for around thirty years,” he said.
If the elected officials have agreed to study the two variants in committee (before a vote in plenum by the end of the year), a certain irritation begins to appear. “After the site on rue de Carouge and the Museum, we are again in the face of a credit surpassing,” deplores the PLR Maxime Provii, which sees it as “sausage strategy”.
“This is the umpteenth surpassing for an exceptional reason for an institution that weighs 60 million francs for 3% of the audiences,” annoys the Omar Azzabi green. Sami Kanaan said he was looking for private funds. The canton should contribute to 8 million francs.
18 -month -old site
The last major operation on the machinery dates back to 2006. Curiously, She had not been included in the major renovation project of the premises of the new place completed not without delay and In pain in 2019 (nearly 80 million francs in total).
Delay, this time will also be discussed. The duration of the site had to be extended from 12 to 18 months due to the reorganization of calls for tenders. The work should be completed in July 2027.
The whole the 2026/2027 season should take place outside the walls. It is therefore at BFM and Victoria Hall that the next director Alain Perroux will start his reign at the head of the lyric institution.
“Latest news”Do you want to stay at the top of the info? “Tribune de Genève” offers you two meetings per day, directly in your e-mailbox. To not miss anything of what is happening in your canton, Switzerland or in the world.
Other newslettersConnect
Did you find an error? Please report it to us.
0 comments
