Conductor Louis Frémaux has died
Recruited by Rainier after the war, he had created the National Orchestra of the Monte Carlo Opera (the future Philharmonic) and concerts of the Prince’s Palace. He passed away at the age of 95.
A tall silhouette in front of the orchestra, with hair fluttering slightly as he brandished an authoritative wand. Louis Frémaux directed the Symphony Orchestra of Monaco from 1956 to 1965. We learned of his death on 20 March, at Avaray in Loir-et-Cher, at the age of 95. The role of director of the Monaco orchestra was the first major post in his career. Previously, in 1940, he had been enlisted by the German occupation forces in a labor camp, from which he escaped to join the networks of the Resistance. At the time of Liberation, he was engaged in the Foreign Legion to fight in Vietnam. He returned to France, studied conducting, and became famous in 1954 by directing a concert dedicated to the memory of the director of the Paris Conservatory, Claude Delvincourt, who had passed away in a road accident. At the age of 34, he was asked by Prince Rainier III to lead Monaco’s Orchestra once again, as the orchestra had been without a director since the end of the war and the Prince wished to restore its momentum under the name ‘National Orchestra of the Monte Carlo Opera’.
Louis Frémaux carried out this task, bringing the orchestra to an international level, creating the concerts for the Prince’s Palace in 1959, performing tours abroad and launching a policy of recording albums for the prestigious publishing house Deutsche Grammophon, as well as for the brand new French company Erato. He made a large number of recordings in Monaco, focusing mainly on French symphonic music (Berlioz, Massenet, Dukas, Debussy, Fauré). As well as memorable concertos by Chopin whose soloist was the legendary pianist Samson François.
After Monaco, Louis Frémaux took over the new Lyon Philharmonic Orchestra in 1969, the Birmingham Orchestra in England until 1979, and the Sydney Philharmonic Orchestra in Australia. Let us listen to the recording of Fauré’s Requiem, played in many of our discotheques, which he recorded in 1979 in the Cathedral of Monaco, with another great musical figure of the Principality, Canon Henri Carol, at the organ. It would be a nice way to say goodbye.
Launch of web series Deep – Mare Nostrum
The official premiere of the digital series Deep – Mare Nostrum took place last week at the Oceanographic Museum in the presence of the Sovereign Prince and the team behind the series.
Created by Jean-Charles Felli and Pierre-Marie Mosconi, produced by Save Ferris and Studio + and directed by Jean-François Julian, the series, consisting of ten 10-minute episodes and filmed in Monaco, shines a spotlight on the world of freediving.
Following the death of her twin brother Matt (Pierre Frolla) during a diving championship, Sofia (Caterina Murino) decides to train in competitive diving herself in order to avenge her brother’s honor. Featuring magnificent marine backdrops, Deep immerses viewers in some spectacular and amazing locations, taking them on a journey to the very heart of the freediving world.
Antarctica and the Strategic Plan for Biological Diversity 2011-2020
An international study, led by scientists from the University of Monash in Melbourne, Australia, undertaken in close collaboration with the Prince’s Government, Monaco Scientific Centre Monaco (SCM) and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), questions the general view that the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean are in a better state of health than the rest of the world.
Source: en.gouv.mc
“The results were truly surprising,” emphasized Professor Steven Chown, the main author of this study and Director of the Faculty of Biological Sciences at Monash. “While in some areas, such as the management of introduced species, the Antarctic region is doing quite well, in others, such as the management of protected areas and the regulation of bioprospection, it lags far behind,” he added.
The Prince’s Government is pleased to have supported such a study and is delighted to once again be able to welcome biodiversity experts from the Antarctic region to the Principality. The second workshop, entitled “Antarctica and the Strategic Plan for Biological Diversity 2011-2020: Monaco’s Assessment – Implementation Programme”, will be held in July 2017 in the Principality, again in association with Monash University, SCAR, the CSM and the Prince’s Government.
Farewell to Bernard Spindler
Prince Albert II was present last week at Bernard Spindler’s funeral at Monaco’s Cathedral, presided over by Monsignor Fabrice Gallo. The chancellor of the diocese and friend of the deceased recalled the extraordinary taste for life that the journalist and writer had; a man of brilliant intelligence and unparalleled humor. The ceremony was a liturgy of the word which brought together his family, friends and co-workers as well as many communication and media professionals who all had deep respect and admiration for him. More than two hundred people attended the gathering to remember and bid farewell to Bernard, a naturalized Monegasque during the reign of Prince Rainier III and one of the most illustrious voices of the RMC over the last half century.
Albert’s loyal support of the AMCA
Prince Albert attended the last conference of The Monegasque Association for the Knowledge of the Arts (AMCA), held under the patronage of the Sovereign and presided over by its founder Élisabeth Bréaud. The meeting, which took place on Monday 27 March at the Théâtre des Variétés, was hosted by Mounir Bouchenaki. The former Assistant Director-General for Culture at UNESCO spoke about the destruction of heritage in many regions of the world.
Prince of Monaco becomes an honorary citizen
A big crowd formed in the center of Megève as locals and tourists, informed by their favorite local daily newspaper, quickly recognized Prince Albert II of Monaco, who was received by Mayor Catherine Jullien-Brèches. In front of an audience of distinguished guests, the Prince was inducted as an honorary citizen of the commune of Megève, a title that seals the ties between the Principality and the commune.
A ceremony voluntarily organized during the jazz festival, since Monaco’s Société des Bains de Mer is in charge of the artistic programming of the young festival (the SBM also ensures the programming of the Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival and the Juan-les-Pins jazz festival). On Thursday evening the Prince also attended the opening concert of Eddy Mitchell in the Megevan Palace.
“Common goals in terms of excellence and quality”
After a thought for Jean-René Palacio, Artistic Director of the Société des Bains de Mer who was absent for health reasons, Catherine Jullien-Brèches said: “Your presence highlights the links between our two communities. Monaco has the sea, Megève has the mountain, it is a story beginning with M between our two communes. I hope to see these links perpetuated, through other events. I am honored to appoint you as an honorary citizen of Megève.”
The sovereign said he was “very touched by this distinction. I have had the pleasure of knowing Megève for many years, and many inhabitants of the Principality come here on vacation. This commune joins, on the slopes of a mountain, what we are trying to do on the shores of the Mediterranean. We have common objectives in terms of excellence and quality.”
To seal the friendship, the mayor and the Prince exchanged various gifts. From Megève, Prince Albert will return with champagne offered by the Megevan chef Emmanuel Renaut, an M made by the sculptor Pierre Margara, a work by Eric Tops representing Grace Kelly, and a jacket from the sports club of Megève, presented by its president Alain Delmas.
Source: en.gouv.mc
