Event in Lausanne –
The Beaulieu Theater entered the scene 70 years ago
The largest theater in Switzerland was inaugurated on November 19, 1954. It is to Lausanne what the Olympia is to Paris, they say.
Published today at 11:38 a.m.
On November 19, 1954, the stage was occupied by the Orchester de la Suisse Romande, under the baton of its then conductor, Ernest Ansermet, with the assistance of pianist Clara Haskil.
Archives Comptoir Suisse/DR
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Discussions for the creation of a performance hall in Lausanne between the Municipality and the Société cooperative du Comptoir Suisse dated back to 1949. The Théâtre de Beaulieu was finally inaugurated on November 19, 1954. It is to Lausanne what the Olympia is in Paris, they say: an emblematic place where the most notable stars of the second half of the 20th centurye century have followed one another: Barbara, Edith Piaf, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Quincy Jones and Serge Gainsbourg. And it continues.
September 3, 2022: first concert at the Théâtre de Beaulieu after its renovation. The Lausanne Chamber Orchestra and Renaud Capuçon will play Mozart.
Odile Meylan
Seventy years ago, on the evening of the inauguration, the stage was occupied by the Orchester de la Suisse Romande under the baton of its then conductor, Ernest Ansermet, with the assistance of pianist Clara Haskil. At the end of the concert, the conductor of the OSR noted the acoustic qualities and the elegance of the proportions. Comments reported the next day by the “Lausanne Opinion Sheet” (FAL): “Since my time as a student in Lausanne, I have been part of various committees responsible for developing the plans for the “great room”. But what none of them achieved, despite years of work, the Comptoir achieved in a few months!”
Although the architect Marcel Maillard had worked on the plans for the Théâtre de Beaulieu for three years, work only began in February 1954. “Ten months later, we can already inaugurate, in one brilliant evening, this very beautiful achievement, worthy of a city which wants to be faithful to its tradition of literary and artistic capital of the canton,” rejoiced the FAL journalist. It will be the largest theater in Switzerland. The Palace – which will become the main building – dates from 1921. It will take the name of Palais de Beaulieu in 1957.
The rear technical part of the theater during the renovation work which took place in 2019 and 2022.
Patrick Martin/Archives
In 1954, the Théâtre de Beaulieu took the place of the former large restaurant. But no one now recognizes in this immense hemicycle, with its harmonious proportions, the rectangular room where thousands of meals had been served in previous years. In his speech, trustee Jean Peitrequin highlighted the perfect collaboration that existed between the Comptoir and the Lausanne authorities. Conclusion of the “Lausanne Opinion Sheet”: “It is thanks to this agreement that Lausanne is finally provided, in Beaulieu, with “equipment” which does it full honor.”
Since its renovation in 2022, at a cost of 43 million, the theater has offered better comfort to the public and optimal reception conditions for productions. Its acoustics have been further improved.
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Claude Béda is a journalist for the 24-hour Vaudois section. Passionate about social issues and the lives of people here, he covered several regions of the canton, before joining the Lausanne editorial staff. More info
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