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In 2023, Crédit Agricole CIB will become one of the principal patrons for France's foremost opera house. This marks a new milestone in our commitment to cultural patronage, and we are excited to commemorate it with you on November 09 at the Palais Garnier. The evening will be dedicated to celebrating the work of the renowned American choreographer Jerome Robbins.
Today, we extend our invitation for you to revisit the narrative of this profound, human-centered, and vital collaboration. Most importantly, we invite you to continue its legacy and ensure its enduring impact.
"We feel we're contributing to its influence, to the influence of French culture, to the influence of Paris. And that's a mission we hold dear."
- Xavier Muscat
Crédit Agricole CIB actively supports forward-looking initiatives that foster artistic creation, cultural discovery, and the preservation of heritage. Since 2018, we have proudly partnered with the Opéra national de Paris, actively contributing to the institution's significant milestones.
Our commitment extends to various facets of the opera house's mission. We support its dedication to artistic excellence, the global reach of French culture, and the advancement of technological innovations that enhance the accessibility and transmission of lyrical and choreographic arts to diverse audiences.
This partnership allows us, whether at the Opéra Bastille or the Palais Garnier, to unite customers, employees, and partners under a common purpose of sharing, discovering, and preserving the world of lyrical and choreographic arts.
As you embark on this emotional and innovative journey, from Handel to Ravel, via Chopin and Verdi, allow the melodies from our playlist to guide you through this remarkable experience.
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Our encounter with the Opéra began in 2018, as part of our support for Les Arts Florissants, which brought a Baroque opera, Jephta, a rare and refined oratorio by Georg Friedrich Handel, to the Palais Garnier stage for the first time. Maestro William Christie conducted his orchestra Les Arts Florissants, a pioneering ensemble that has been working to rediscover and promote the Baroque repertoire since 1979. In this context, Crédit Agricole CIB organized its inaugural exclusive event for esteemed clients on January 17, 2018. This date remains etched in memory for the exceptional quality of the production, the splendor of the venue, and the privileged access granted to the Opéra national de Paris.
On track 1, enjoy the artistry and flair with which these musicians champion this challenging repertoire.
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This first experience confirmed Crédit Agricole CIB's desire to contribute to the dissemination of the lyrical and choreographic arts. In the ensuing months, the bank solidified its patronage of the Opéra national de Paris by actively supporting the institution during the celebration of the 350th anniversary of the establishment of the Académie royale de Musique, which ultimately gave birth to the Opéra de Paris.
In particular, the bank chose to endorse two new productions that gracefully complemented each other. These adaptations offered not only contrasting interpretations but also distinct foreign viewpoints on Alexandre Dumas fils' French novel, La Dame aux camélias!
The initial event, scheduled for December 04, 2018, coincided with a performance of John Neumeier's ballet adaptation of La Dame aux camélias" set to the enchanting music of Chopin (including the Second Piano Concerto, Ballades, and Preludes, spanning tracks 2 to 4).
In 2019, Crédit Agricole CIB proudly sponsored the production of Giuseppe Verdi's opera, La Traviata (featured in tracks 5 and 6). This production stood out not only for its innovative interpretation by Simon Stone but also for the inclusion of the renowned South African soprano, Pretty Yende, a global sensation on the world's grandest stages.
The bank cordially invited its valued customers and partners to join them at the Palais Garnier on October 1, 2019, for an opportunity to experience this splendid production firsthand.
The Crédit Agricole Group maintains a worldwide presence with offices spanning the entire globe. Following its support for the anniversary of the Académie de Musique, the Bank has chosen to become a Major Partner of the Ballet de l'Opéra's tour throughout Asia and the Middle East. This initiative contributes significantly to the promotion of French culture on an international scale.
Cities like Singapore, Shanghai, and Abu Dhabi are on the verge of experiencing a series of exquisite choreographic performances. These showcase the unparalleled virtuosity of the Ballet's dancers and highlight the richness of works by cherished choreographers within the institution, including Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine, Crystal Pite, and William Forsythe. The performances are set to music by a diverse range of composers, including Antonio Vivaldi, Max Richter (featured in tracks 7-8), and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (track 9).
In March 2020, the Opéra national de Paris, much like concert halls around the world, had to close its doors. This situation raised important questions about the accessibility of cultural events and the issue of social isolation, especially among the elderly, a challenge that needed to be addressed urgently.
Crédit Agricole CIB and the Opéra national de Paris embarked on a quest for innovative solutions. The Bank extended its support to a new solidarity initiative by the Opéra national de Paris: the broadcast, both in replay and live (recordings without an audience), of performances to be enjoyed by millions of television viewers and internet users. This initiative emerged at a time when the need for cultural, emotional, and spiritual enrichment was more critical than ever.
This collective effort has now evolved into a remarkable social innovation project, closely tied to the #TousMobilisésPourNosAînés (All Mobilized for Our Seniors) initiative by the Fondation Crédit Agricole Solidarité et Développement. The project aims to introduce art and culture into the daily lives of residents in nursing homes (EHPAD) through the use of virtual reality headsets specially adapted to the needs of the elderly.
As the Opéra national de Paris opened its doors to the public once more, it marked a significant moment for the artists who find themselves performing before a half-capacity audience.
In its role as the Grand Patron and Outreach Patron of the Opéra national de Paris, Crédit Agricole CIB naturally extended an invitation to its partners for a joyful and lighthearted event, carrying an accessible message. On September 30, 2021, both customers and employees had the opportunity to rediscover the ballet Play by Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman—a playful, whimsical, and dreamlike performance filled with infectious energy that leaves a lasting impression. Additionally, on track 9, you can experience the electrifying contribution of French percussionist Adélaïde Ferrière to Isaac Albéniz's Suite Espagnole from this remarkable production.
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Crédit Agricole CIB is solidifying its enduring commitment to the Opéra national de Paris by establishing long-term support, which includes backing one production and one international tour annually.
Following our partnership with a concert by the Académie de l'Opéra de Paris in Tokyo in October 2022, we are excited to announce our role as a Major Partner in the Paris Opera Ballet's upcoming tour of Korea in March 2023. This tour includes a splendid performance of Giselle (featured in track 10) at the LG Arts Center in Seoul. These endeavors mark significant milestones in our mission to bolster the global promotion of France's cultural heritage. Furthermore, in 2024, we look forward to supporting the Ballet during their tour in Japan, which will feature Histoire de Manon.
In that very year, the Opéra national de Paris honored Crédit Agricole CIB with the distinguished status of Major Sponsor. The splendid event scheduled for November 09 at the Palais Garnier, featuring a tribute to Jerome Robbins by the Ballet de l'Opéra, serves as an occasion to commemorate these five years of mutual emotion, exploration, and artistic creation. It is also an opportunity to collectively shape the future of this profound, human-centered, and indispensable partnership.
We look forward to welcoming you.
