On Vacation Guide Book Geneva | Page 30

7 T T G .   H E G R A N D H É Â T R E D E E N È V E BOULEVARD DU THÉÂTRE 11 The Grand Théâtre de Genève is Geneva ’ s opera house . Between Opéra des Nations and the scene at the Place de Neuve , it stages opera and ballet performances , recitals and concerts whose level of excellence identifies the Grand Théâtre as one of the great opera houses of the world . The Grand Théâtre ’ s technical , artistic and administrative teams all come together , with their specific skills , to form a staff of approximately 350 members , whose individual skills are all essential to the success of our productions .   If it weren ’ t for the many different skills of our technical staff , there would be no costumes , no props , no sets or footwear in our productions . Since 1996 , the technical workshops have divided their activities into three branches : sets , props and costume , all requiring the specific professional skills of carpenters , locksmiths , painters and decorators , upholsterers and props technicians , dressmakers , seamstresses , tailors , costume decorators and accessorisers and shoemakers .   In 1962 , the Grand Théâtre de Genève gave itself a resident ballet company and since then , the Geneva Ballet has commissioned two new productions every season from internationally renowned choreographers , which have made its reputation in Switzerland and abroad . The Ballet ’ s premieres always take place in Geneva , but the company is frequently and regularly on tour abroad , with recent appearances in France , Italy , the United States , Russia , Australia , Brazil , China and South Africa ). Also founded in 1962 , the Grand Théâtre de Genève Opera Chorus is made up of over 40 professional singers , of all nationalities . According to production requirements , additional chorists may join the ranks of the Opera Chorus . The Chorus is an essential part of almost all the opera productions during the Grand Théâtre season .