The National Opera of Paris and Vacheron Constantin celebrate the 30th anniversary of the AROP (Friends of the Paris Opera and Ballet).
On Saturday, November 20th Paris’ Palais Garnier played host to Vacheron Constantin, the oldest horological Manufacture in the world, having enjoyed uninterrupted activity since its founding in 1755, as well as hundreds of the Manufacture’s esteemed guests for the much-anticipated 30th anniversary celebration of the AROP. Presiding over the momentous occasion were Jean-Louis Beffa, President of the AROP, Nicolas Joel, Director of the National Opera of Paris, and Brigitte Lefèvre, Director of Dance, Representatives of Vacheron Constantin consisted of none other than Juan-Carlos Torres, CEO of Vacheron Constantin, Marc Guten, the International Director, and Jean-Yves di Martino, the Director of France for Vacheron Constantin.
Guests then had the opportunity to admire the Vacheron Constantin watch « Métiers d’Art – Chagall et l’Opéra Garnier » manufactured specifically for this event to celebrate the anniversary. This unique timepiece boasts a reproduction of remarkable detail and quality of the famous ceiling of the Opera painted by renowned artist Marc Chagall. This remarkable watch was realized using a traditional Genevan technique known as « Grand Feu », characterized by miniature painting on enamel, this meticulous process is specific to the Swiss city and passed down from generation to generation by masters of this art. After a global presentation of this unique watch, it will join the private collection of the Vacheron Constantin Maison.
The entrance to the Palais set the tone for the entire evening. Guests were greeted by a gauntlet of soldiers of the French garde républicaine fully clad in their maginificent uniforms. The revered Venetian Matteo Corvino was responsible for the beautiful and breathtaking decorations. Standing out among the guests were Monsieur Frédéric Mitterrand, Madame Fillon, Madame Roselyne Bachelot and Monsieur Jack Lang accompanied by his wife. The master of the ceremony was none other than Stéphane Bern.
To the benefit and pleasure of more than 1600 people, stars of the Paris Opera and divas from around the world offered an array of performances each more magnificent than the last. One cannot but mention Nicolas Le Riche who performed Ravel’s Boléro after enchanting the audience with a perfectly choreographed performance of Maurice Béjart, not to mention singer Nathalie Dessay who chose Lammermoor’s Air de la folie de Lucia and performed the piece exceptionally well. Following the performances, some 1000 delighted guests adjourned to the grand foyer where a majestic dinner awaited them.
