Vacheron Constantin - 30th anniversary at the Opera de Paris
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 Lefevre, 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 « Metiers d'Art - Chagall et l'Opera 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 republicaine 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 Frederic Mitterand, Madame Fillon, Madame Roselyne Bachelot and Monsieur Jack Lang accompanied by his wife. The master of the ceremony was none other tahn Stephane 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 Rich who performed Ravel's Bolero after enchanting the audience with a perfectly choreographed performance of Maurice Bejart, 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.
Vacheron Constantin and the Opera National de Paris
In 2007, Vacheron Constantin had the privilege and honour to become patron of the Opera National de Paris. The two companies share an important attribute: both have an extraordinary artistic heritage that they continuously nourish and enrich.
This patron also bears witness to the affinities between time and art, two worlds that echo each other and are driven by the same emotion, passion. And as well as passion there are tradition, innovation, openness to the world, and the fostering of culture. At Vacheron Constantin, culture has become an authentic philosophy, a way of life that has been cultivated with enthusiasm and commitment for over 250 years. Vacheron Constantin is happy to be able to share these values with the Opera National de Paris.