Vacheron Constantin and the Opéra National de Paris
celebrate Béjart at the Opéra Bastille

An unforgettable, highly emotional evening in front of a packed audience.
Paris’ smart set raring to attend the first Hommage à Maurice Béjart.


In its capacity as Patron of the Opéra National de Paris, Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest watch manufacture, received several hundred guests for the première of Hommage à Maurice Béjart. The event took place on Tuesday, 9 December at the Opéra Bastille in Paris and was attended by Gerard Mortier, Director of the Opéra National de Paris, Brigitte Lefèvre, Dance Director, Juan-Carlos Torres, Vacheron Constantin’s CEO, Marc Guten, International Director, and Jean-Yves di Martino, Vacheron Constantin’s Director in France.

In front of a packed, emotional audience – it was the first time that the troupe had performed any of Béjart’s ballets since his death in Lausanne in November 2007 - two unique Maurice Béjart ballets, Adagietto and Le chant du compagnon errant, were performed just for the première, along with three of his celebrated choreographies, Serait-ce la mort?, L’Oiseau de feu and Le Sacre du Printemps.

Standing out among the guests was Farah Pahlavi, the last Empress of Iran. Also present were Gil Roman Director of the Béjart Ballet Lausanne, Patrick Poivre d’Arvor, Victoria Abril, Samuel Le Bihan, Evelyne Bouix, Guy Bedos, Philippe Lavil, Emmanuel de Brantes, Gérard Holz, Nelson Montfort, Barbara Bui, Antoine Duléry, as well as Ulrich Lehner, Switzerland’s ambassador in France who, accompanied by his wife, had kindly accepted the Geneva manufacture’s invitation. After the performance, the guests were invited to the top floor of the Opéra Bastille for a private reception hosted by Vacheron Constantin.


Vacheron Constantin and the Opéra National de Paris
Last year, Vacheron Constantin had the privilege and honour to become patron of the Opéra National de Paris. The two companies share an important attribute: both have an extraordinary artistic heritage that they continuously nourish and enrich.

This year, among the various productions performed, Vacheron Constantin decided to support the Hommage à Maurice Béjart. Maurice Béjart managed to impose a unique style that revolutionised dancing in the 20th century. Vacheron Constantin is therefore proud to have this opportunity to honour the memory and talent of this exceptional dancer and choreographer.

This tribute 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 Opéra National de Paris.


About Vacheron Constantin
Established in 1755 in Geneva, Vacheron Constantin is the world’s oldest watch manufacture and has been making watches without any interruption for over 250 years. Founders of the true spirit of technical and precious Haute Horlogerie, the men and women of Vacheron Constantin continue to design, develop and manufacture exceptional timepieces that adhere to the brand’s three fundamental values: expert technique, inspired and harmonious aesthetics, and an extremely high level of finishing.