Creation and innovation
- Lyon has always favoured this combination and in doing so has
developed a strong cultural influence. Cultural events and institutions
benefit from one of the largest chunks of Lyon’s budget, and
it shows.
The presence in Lyon of prestigious cultural institutions, such
as the National Opera, the National Orchestra,
the Lumière Institute, La Maison
de la Danse and the Célestins Theatre,
contribute to the city’s international reputation. Lyon also
is a very musical city, enjoying ancient, classic, contemporary,
international, traditional French songs, rap, rock and more. Of
course, this is not to mention dance, theatre and cabaret too, all
of which are prevalent in the city. The city nurtures creation and
hosts productions from around the world. The Conservatoire
national supérieur and the Conservatoire
national de région are among the most important
centres of musical learning in France outside of Paris.
Tickets for theatrical or musical events can be bought from the
booking offices directly or from FNAC, 85 rue de la République
(telephone number: (04) 7240 4949).
Local newspapers and magazines, such as the weekly Lyon
Poche or Lyon Capitale, carry information
about cultural events taking place throughout the city.
Music
The
National Opera, 1 place de la Comédie (telephone number:
(04) 7200 4500 or 4545, fax number: (04) 7200 4501, e-mail: rpublic@opera-lyon.org
, houses several institutions. Among them is the Opera Orchestra,
which started from scratch in 1983, with young musicians and experienced
conductors. Its musical director since 1998 has been Luis
Langrée and it alternates repertory works and new
compositions.
The Lyon National Orchestra
has its permanent residence in the Auditorium, 149 rue Garibaldi
(telephone number: (04) 7895 9595, fax number: (04) 7860 1308).
A symphony orchestra with 102 musicians since 2000, under the direction
of David Robertson, the Lyon National Orchestra
has acquired an international reputation throughout the world.
The Palais des Congrès, 50 quai Charles
de Gaulle (telephone number: (04) 7267 0188), hosts famous French
artists, such as Serge Lama or Enrico Macias,
as well as many classical concerts.
Theatre
From classical to contemporary, all styles are represented in Lyon.
The Célestins Theatre, 4 rue Charles Dullin
(telephone number: (04) 7277 4000, fax number: (04) 7277 4006, e-mail:
courrier@celestins-lyon.org),
is the oldest theatre in Lyon and has had two centuries of continuous
dramatic activity. It welcomes Parisian shows as well as regional
companies, with productions ranging from classical theatre to music
hall. Le Théâtre des Jeunes Années,
founded by Maurice Yendt, at 23 rue de Bourgogne (telephone number:
(04) 7253 1515, fax number: (04) 7253 1519), in 1968, is a permanent
venue for contemporary theatre. It also offers special children’s
productions.
Lyon was also the birthplace of the theatrical puppet figure known
as Guignol, which was created in 1808, by Laurent
Mourguet. This tradition is still alive today with the
Compagnie Laurent Cappezone, 2 rue Louis Carrand (telephone number:
(04) 7828 9257).
There are many theatres offering young people an opportunity to
be noticed, such as Les Maronniers, 7 rue des Maronniers
(telephone number: (04) 7837 9817), Les Clochards Célestes,
51 rue des Tables Claudiennes (telephone number: (04) 7827 0695),
Le Carré 30, 12 rue Pizay (telephone number:
(04) 7839 7461), and Le Théâtre de la Crois-Rousse,
3 place Johannès Ambre (telephone number: (04) 7207 4949,
website: www.croix-rousse.com).
Dance:
The
Lyon Opera House Ballet Company, place de la Comédie
(telephone number: (04) 7200 4545), offers a contemporary repertoire
of international standing.
The
Maison de la Danse, 8 avenue Jean Mermoz (telephone number:
(04) 7278 1818, fax number: (04) 7875 5566, e-mail: maisondeladanse@wanadoo.fr),
was created in 1980. The company, directed by Guy Darmet,
is completely devoted to choreographic art, with an emphasis on
new creations and welcomes French and foreign companies.
Film
In 1895, the Lumière brothers invented cinematography
and shot the first ever film. The Lumière Institute (telephone
number: (04) 7878 1895, fax number: (04) 7801 3662, website: www.mairie-lyon.fr)
offers cinema screenings every day, costing €4.50. It is also
the best place for film aficionados to catch celluloid rarities
and arthouse movies.
There are many other cinemas in Lyon, offering a wide choice of
movies, including CNP Bellecour, 12 rue de la Barre
(telephone number: (04) 7842 3322), UGC Ciné-cité,
60 quai Charles de Gaulle (telephone number: (04) 7269 7070), and
Pathé, 79 rue de la République (telephone
number: (04) 7837 6464). There are, however, no options for visitors
who do not understand the mother tongue, English-language theatres
are non existent in the city.
There are many French movies that have been shot in Lyon, for example
Lucie Aubrac (1996) by Claude Berry, Louis
Enfant-Roi (1991) by Roger Planchon and Les Voleurs
(1995) by André Téchiné.
Cultural events
Les
Nuits de Fourvière takes place from June to September
and is one of the highlights of the summer events in Lyon. It offers
a prestigious selection of musical and theatrical performances in
the Gallo-Roman amphitheatre of Fourvière.
Since 1991, Lyon has hosted the prestigious National Biennial
Festivals of Dance and Contemporary Art. Hundreds of dancers,
musicians and singers present creations around the theme of South
American territories ‘from the fire of the earth down to the
Rio Grande river’. More than 100 artists from all over the
world will come to present their creations in the Halle Tony Garnier,
20 place Antonin Perrin (telephone number: (04) 7276 8585; fax number:
(04) 7872 3707, e-mail: htg@halle-tony-garnier.com;
website: www.halle-tony-garnier.com).
The Festival of Lights is one of Lyon’s
most popular and traditional events. The 150-year-old tradition
takes place on 8th December every year and is a religious celebration
that honours the statue of the Virgin Mary on Fourvière Hill.
The people of Lyon put lanterns on their balconies and their windowsills
and then congregate on the streets to enjoy the spectacle. A range
of different performances are also organised at the same time throughout
other parts of Lyon.
Literary
Notes
During the Renaissance, the Lyon publishing industry was the most
important one in France. Rabelais (1483-1553) was
a doctor at Hôtel Dieu in Lyon, before writing Pantagruel
(1532) and Gargantua (1535). The poet,
Louise Labé (1526-1566), was born in Lyon
and used to hold a literary salon in the city.
The year 2000 saw the centenary of the birth of one of Lyon’s
most famous authors, Antoine de St-Exupéry,
best known as the author of Le Petit Prince (1943).
St-Exupéry wrote many other well known books, such as Courier
du Sud (1927), Terres des Hommes (1939)
and Vol de Nuit (1931), before disappearing in
his aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea in 1944. To celebrate the
centenary of his birth, Lyon’s airport changed its name from
Lyon-Satolas to Lyon-St-Exupéry. |
