patrons - sponsors - partners 2023-2024
We thank our funding authorities, sponsors and partners for their generous support.
Major Patrons
GENEVA ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF THE ORCHESTRE DE LA SUISSE ROMANDE
WHO ARE WE?
The Geneva Association of the Friends of the OSR was founded in 1935, at a time when the young orchestra was wrestling with financial difficulties and fighting for its survival. Ernest Ansermet, founder of the OSR, spared no effort in gathering all the support needed to ensure the long-term future of the orchestra. Raising awareness amongst the broadest possible audience through the creation of an Association of Friends was one such initiative.
Over the decades, the Association has sustained itself and grown. Today it represents a family of nearly 2,500 music lovers who strive to resolutely support the advantage of having an internationally renowned orchestra resident in Geneva.
WHAT ARE OUR GOALS?
Support the OSR
Thanks to the generosity of its members, in particular its sponsors & patrons, the Friends of the OSR provide significant support to the OSR and thus contribute to the development of its reputation. Thanks to an instrumental fund created in 2021, the Friends are helping to improve the sonority of the orchestra by gradually providing it with high-quality string instruments.
Beyond the financial aspect, the Friends of the OSR also express their gratitude and thanks to the musicians through their membership.
Generating and maintaining public interest in the OSR
By inviting members of various groups to private rehearsals, organising numerous events and concerts - including the unmissable New Year's Concert - and organising exclusive trips that allow patrons to accompany the OSR on its tours, the Friends of the OSR strengthen the attachment that Geneva's music lovers have to their symphony orchestra. Particular attention is paid to raising awareness and building loyalty among the younger generation, complementing the OSR's specific programmes.
WHAT DO WE OFFER?
Depending on the membership category chosen, the Association offers numerous exclusive advantages such as access to dress rehearsals for subscription concerts, advance purchase of subscriptions or concert tickets, conferences, visits to emblematic musical venues or invitations to various events.
Above all, it offers the satisfaction of being able to actively support an orchestra that provides a large variety of musical pleasures throughout the year.
The Friends website for further information and membership enquiries.
THE « AOSR » STAND
The Friends stand is located in the Victoria Hall. Members of the Committee are ready to greet you before the majority of OSR concerts.
VAUD ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF THE ORCHESTRE DE LA SUISSE ROMANDE
After an emotional return to the Palais de Beaulieu, the Committee of the Vaud Association of Friends of the OSR is delighted to be able to present the program for the coming year.
For this 2023-24 season, we are delighted to announce that the six concerts on the program will delight Symphony Orchestra enthusiasts. French music will notably be on the agenda with Berlioz, Debussy, Ravel, not to mention other prestigious guests such as Janine Jansen (violinist), Myung-Whun Chung if not Michael Jarrell.
This 2023-24 season notably sees the return of the great conductor Charles Dutoit on February 8, 2024 and will be marked in particular by a touch of modernity.
We look forward to the return of the Charlie Chaplin movie concert to attract audiences of all ages, including the youngest.
The Vaud Committee of Friends of the OSR makes renewed proposals to you:
Les Préludes: invitation from musicologists offering a decoding, an analysis of the works that will be played, but also an invitation to historians who can give the historical context in which the works were performed and composed.
Monthly newsletter set up, by e-mail, including the program, but also information on the works performed and much more.
The objective of our association is that the OSR – which is also at home in Lausanne – be welcomed and acclaimed by an ever-growing audience at each of its concerts.
Become a member by writing to us at info@amisosr-vaud.ch
At the Préludes des Amis, set up at the Théâtre de Beaulieu in the foyer of the chicken coop, members of the committee are at your disposal before most OSR concerts.
Loterie Romande
The essential contribution of the Loterie Romande
Tonight, the magic of sound; tomorrow, a change of scene with a theatrical performance. In parallel, a solution found to allow a medical research programme to continue; assistance provided to the elderly; participation in the protection of the environment; and a contribution to the survival of a museum.
There are many examples of projects that have come about thanks to the support of Loterie Romande.
Since its foundation in 1937, Loterie Romande has never failed in its mission: to distribute all of its profits – in 2023, a record amount of 243.4 million was distributed – to institutions of public interest. These represent some 3,000 beneficiaries across the Romandy region, more than 600,000 francs distributed every day in favour of the community.
Through her support of our institution for several seasons now, Aline Foriel-Destezet has enabled us to program exceptional subscription based concerts with conductors and soloists of the highest level, as well as the participation of select ensembles, as is the case next season with the Coro dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia for Verdi’s Requiem.
In addition to her support of OSR productions, Aline Foriel-Destezet is also involved in ensuring access to culture for all and supports a new program set up by the OSR, which aims to welcome a new audience in the best conditions, for the next two seasons: Open House.
Fondation Francis & Marie-France Minkoff
Created in 2009, the Fondation Francis & Marie-France Minkoff is a philanthropic family foundation active in various fields, including education, scientific research and social and humanitarian action, as well as committing a significant part of its activities to culture, and classical music in particular.
As such, the Foundation especially supports the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, an orchestra with which the Minkoff family maintains links going back almost to its founding a century ago by Ernest Ansermet.
From the outset, the fame of the OSR and its illustrious conductor quickly spread beyond Swiss borders, leading them to become “extraordinary ambassadors” of our region; remaining an essential player in French-Swiss symphony and opera today. True to its history, the orchestra does everything it can to uphold its standing and remain at the highest level. To help the orchestra, the Foundation provides friendly, benevolent support.
The Foundation wishes to thank Maestro Jonathan Nott, Music and Artistic Director, for sharing his passion and talent with us and giving us some very beautiful musical performances, and Mrs Charlotte de Senarclens, President, and thank also Mr Steve Roger, General Manager, as well as the whole management team. Finally, we remain grateful to the musicians, for always giving the best of themselves and aiming for excellence in offering high quality concerts to the public.
Fondation Caris
Even the greatest artists may need a helping hand at one point or another. This is even more so in conducting, where to successfully become a conductor defies all odds.
Fondation Caris aims to offer this helping hand to highly promising and motivated artists, so that their artistic aspirations can could come true.
The Foundation is delighted to collaborate with the OSR on the creation of the position of assistant conductor to provide a valuable opportunity for young aspiring conductors. We wish Ms. Ana María Patiño-Osorio, the first winner of this position, much success during the 2023-24 season.
Fondation Philanthropique Famille Sandoz
The Fondation Philanthropique Famille Sandoz is committed to support projects or institutions contributing to the development of society in Switzerland and abroad. The domains covered are culture, as well as education, social activities, health, protection of the environment and humanitarian aid.
We are delighted to have the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande as a partner for the 2023-2024 season. Our support to arts and culture contributes to the splendour of this cultural institution known on national and international levels.
The Fondation Philanthropique Famille Sandoz wishes the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande a successful 2023-2024 season.
Fondation Leenaards
The Leenaards Foundation is delighted to reiterate its support for the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande for the 2023/24 season.
Both a transmitter of sounds and emotions, the OSR knows how to make its way to different audiences with inventiveness, openness and a deep desire to share.
The Leenaards Foundation is a philanthropic foundation that supports projects and stimulates initiatives that contribute to the common good in the fields of culture, ages & society and science & health.
Fondation Bru
A humanistic and universal vocation
The Fondation Bru was created in Switzerland in 2013 with the aim of perpetuating the memory of the founders of UPSA Laboratoires. The foundation groups together all the philanthropic actions previously initiated by Dr Nicole Bru, its role being to continue those actions and to develop new ones.
Enabling the realization of fine ideas
There are some fine causes, with long-term projects that are innovative, well devised and truly inspired, but which, in order to succeed, need the strong support and encouragement of a committed partner. Present where others do not always venture, the Fondation Bru aims to support and assist such projects on a long-term basis, and sometimes quite simply make them possible.
The Fondation Bru aims to be in the image of the family of researchers and entrepreneurs whose name it bears: committed, deeply humanistic, pioneering and serving a useful purpose. In giving innovative talents and projects the means of advancing, it is its wish to lend impetus to some of the finest ideas of today and thus bring about a lasting change.
Sustained commitment, beyond the financial support
The Fondation Bru generally steps in at the very beginning of the projects it supports. Providing more than financial support, it accompanies them long-term in order to favour their development and pave the way for new partnerships.
Patrons
MME BRIGITTE LESCURE
I love art in general and am very committed to the city of Geneva, which merits it.
I had the opportunity to accompany the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande on several tours and I have very good memories of them.
The OSR is a great institution recognised throughout the world and I am very happy to support this fine orchestra.
Pictet Group Foundation
The Pictet Group Foundation is pleased to support the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, which skilfully blends the contemporary with tradition, both values that are dear to us.
Our firm has always contributed to the development of cultural institutions in Geneva and abroad, recognised for the quality of their services and their creativity.
The Partners of the Pictet Group wish the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande a successful new season.
![[Translate to English:]](/fileadmin/_processed_/5/9/csm_Logo_Coromandel_17deacb147.png "[Translate to English:]"){kind=logo}
Fondation Coromandel
Since its creation, and according to its statutory aims, the Coromandel Foundation has been able to support several hundred associations, foundations, and events in the three following areas : medical, humanitarian and cultural.
Regarding the art and cultural sectors, the Foundation strives to be present in all disciplines, from painting, music, literature and theater to cinema and comics.
Nevertheless, it remains very committed to supporting classical music orchestras.
Fondation Etrillard
Because it provides inspiration for every generation, the Fondation Etrillard showcases the influence of our European cultural legacy on the contemporary world, by helping to safeguard outstanding sites, by encouraging knowledge transmission and by supporting cultural rediscovery, thereby fostering creative, bold initiatives to spark opportunities for emotion and sharing.
Among its donations, the Fondation Etrillard supports research programmes and events that contribute to the promotion of original musical writing from the Middle Ages to the present day. During the 2023-2024 season, the Fondation Etrillard is very pleased to be associated for the second time with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.
The aid provided will contribute to supporting the Orchestra's chamber music programme through the organisation of six concerts to be held in the Franz Liszt Hall of the Geneva Conservatory of Music. The Fondation Etrillard is aware of the importance of the chamber music genre, both in terms of the listening skills it develops in musicians and in terms of its fundamental contribution to the history of music. It is committed to bringing the benefits of this music to today's audience.
FONDATION MKS
Fondation MKS has been committed to advancing future generations for over twenty years. With a presence in Switzerland, Lebanon, and the United States, it supports children in achieving their full learning potential. It is with great pleasure that the Foundation supports the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, which, as usual, offers both children and adults alike moments of virtuosity and musical excellence.
TRAFIGURA FOUNDATION
Trafigura Foundation works to open up equal opportunities for vulnerable populations and people living at the margin of society in Switzerland and around the world.
Equal opportunities belong not only to the socio-economic sector, but also to the cultural and artistic domain. OSR’s "itinerant roulotte" project convinced us for its originality, relevance and for its alignment with our philosophy: to make new horizons accessible for people normally excluded from concert halls for economic, social, cultural, health and disability issues.
We strongly believe that the universal language of music can contribute to the personal fulfilment and life enrichment of everyone, notwithstanding one’s origin and social conditions, and help build a sense of belonging to the Swiss Romandie’s community.
Pro Helvetia
Fondation genevoise de bienfaisance Valeria Rossi di Montelera
Fondation Alfred & Eugénie Baur
Fondation Ernst Göhner
Carigest SA
BROADCAST PARTNER AND RADIO PARTNER
RTS
Well done OSR! Going through the entire program for the 2023-24 season, we salute what programmers modestly call “risk-taking”: from Machaut to Ligeti, it is an ambitious crossing of the musical heritage that will punctuate the 105th season of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. A proposal that welcomes the public audiovisual service of Romandes and Romands, which benefits from as well for its programs of a renewed musical offer. Peter Eötvös or Michael Jarrell, to name just two contemporary composers, are joined this year by the extraordinary György Ligeti, born in 1923, who leaves us a legacy of music incredible, nourished by tradition and invention, humor and audacity.
It is not a question here of making a plea for the music of the 20th and 21st centuries, but to understand and experience that the millennial history of Western music is made up of countless milestones, uninterrupted to this day.
Be part of customs, heritage and traditions and live with the times, this is also the ambition of the RTS. Address all audiences on all vectors, pay particular attention to the French-speaking scene, promote distinctive offers that tell our time and our environment, it is our duty, which applies as much to the artistic and musical scene as to the whole of world around us.
The RTS continues its mission to make known to the widest public the artistic activity of the OSR, by very regularly broadcasting its concerts on RTS Espace 2 and by offering to the vast space of the European Broadcasting Union, wider audiovisual exchange platform in the world – based in Geneva. In his homework of information, it regularly reports on the activity of the OSR throughout its offer. Finally, through audiovisual co-productions, with ARTE or other operators, it undertakes annually to immortalize in image one or other of the great concerts of the French-speaking formation.
Great season of concerts, with the OSR and the RTS.
Alexandre Barrelet, RTS – Culture Unit and RTS Espace 2
Photo credits: RTS/Jay Louvion
RTS Espace 2
RTS Espace 2 is the RTS radio channel principally dedicated to classical music. As such, it is at the heart of the public service broadcasters' relationship with the classical music scene in French-speaking Switzerland, and with the OSR in particular.
The evening concert programme entitled "Plein Jeu" (Wednesdays at 8 pm) on RTS Espace 2 hosts the main concerts given by the OSR throughout the season. Furthermore, the OSR's recordings permeate the entire programme schedule, particularly in the afternoon of "Tournée romande", every day at 1.30 pm.
Through its exchanges with more than 60 public service media within the framework of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), RTS Espace 2 also enables the OSR to be heard regularly throughout Europe.
prestigious partner
Credit Suisse
Credit Suisse and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande have been longstanding partners since 1991.
Our enduring relationship is reflected in the strength of our partnership that is characterized by mutual trust and respect as well as the pursuit of performance excellence. Since 1918, the OSR has enjoyed an outstanding reputation both in Switzerland and internationally thanks to its innovative approach to concert broadcasts, recordings, and tours.
Credit Suisse and the OSR are committed to the future of classical music. They attach the same importance to promoting classical music and training the next generation. The Credit Suisse Foundation supports the Swiss Youth Music Competition and awards the Credit Suisse Young Artist Award and the Prix Credit Suisse des Jeunes Solistes in alternate years with partner organizations.
Credit Suisse has been involved in culture and sport in French-speaking Switzerland for more than 100 years; this regional commitment is demonstrated by the sustainability of its partnerships, such as with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the Fondation de l'Hermitage in Lausanne, the Omega European Masters in Crans Montana, and CHI Geneva.
More information on our commitment is available at: www.credit-suisse.com/sponsoring
Season Partner
SIG
SIG is fully involved in the life of the city and the region. It supports a number of social, humanitarian, sports and cultural activities.
One way that SIG expresses its role and public service mission is by showing its proximity to the people of Geneva beyond its usual services.
Since the 2001-2002 season, SIG has supported the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, which shares emotional, masterful performances in Geneva and around the world on tour. Our partnership with the OSR is part of our desire to promote classical music to a wide audience and participate in the dynamic energy of Geneva in line with our vocation as a corporate citizen.
Institutional Partner
JTI
Art has the ability to engage mind, body and soul. It can be contemplated, heard, touched, felt and experienced by all, in as many forms as there are works. It does not differentiate by age, background or socioeconomic environment, rather reaches sensitivity and emotions of every unique individual.
The lyrical arts, wonderfully performed by the OSR for over 100 years, are widely appreciated by our local communities.
JTI’s support of the OSR is most meaningful when our employees volunteer to accompany groups of elderly, people with disabilities, or those who are not usually fortunate enough to have access to the concert halls, thus sharing a moment of warmth.
Access to art and culture is a sincere objective for JTI. We promote classical music and are committed to supporting the inclusive access to all communities.
We wish the OSR a wonderful 2023-2024 season and may its audience continue to sing!
Concert Partner
Banque Cantonale de Genève
Banque Cantonale de Genève (BCGE) has played a role in supporting and boosting the regional economy since 1816. It provides a full range of banking services to private and corporate clients. Thanks to its solid roots in a canton with a strong international influence, BCGE is able to offer a diversified range of services: day-to-day banking, private banking, asset management, pension planning, financing (mortgages; loans to companies and public authorities; import/export), a trading room, financial engineering, corporate finance and global commodity finance. BCGE is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and offers diversification, innovation and transparency. There are more than 800 BCGE Group employees in 21 branches in Geneva, as well as in Lausanne, Zurich, Basel, Lyon, Annecy, Paris, Dubai and Hong Kong. BCGE sponsors local charities and events in a targeted manner. As such, it is pleased to support the OSR as a co-sponsor.
Funding Authorities
Artistic partners
Grand Théâtre de Genève
Opening its doors in 1879, the Grand Théâtre de Genève is the operatic institution of Geneva.
The leading stage in Switzerland thanks to its technical capacities, the Grand Théâtre hosts opera, ballet and concert performances. Since September 2019, its managing director Aviel Cahn has been building a reputation of artistic excellence and avant-garde by inviting creators from other disciplines in contemporary art and cinema.
The Théâtre’s new management has strengthened the artistic collaboration with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, an honoured musical partner since its foundation in 1918. With eight productions each season, at least one of which is conducted by artistic and musical director Jonathan Nott, the Grand Théâtre and OSR anchor their quality cultural dialogue in a concrete and lasting manner. Through this partnership, the OSR’s identity and repertoire of excellence – especially in French music – are particularly enhanced and appreciated.
Haute école de musique de Genève (HEM)
The Haute école de musique de Genève (Geneva HEM) and its Neuchâtel branch were created in 2009. The school originated from the professional section of three older institutions : the Conservatoire de musique de Genève, the Institut Jaques-Dalcroze and the Conservatoire de musique neuchâtelois. The HEM covers a historical and stylistic field ranging from medieval music to contemporary production, without forgetting music from outside Europe. It attracts more than 600 students from five continents, taught by around a hundred professors and highly qualified speakers in the arts and academia.
Firmly integrated in the region’s cultural landscape, the Geneva HEM is an artistic and educational community of international renown. Its students and professors collaborate with the OSR through numerous projects, notably by organising joint orchestral academies and offering a joint training programme: the DAS (Diploma of Advanced Studies) in Orchestral Practice, which aims to deepen and broaden the skills of students in their orchestral practice.
Concours de Genève
Founded in 1939, Concours de Genève is one of the world’s leading international music competitions. It aims to discover, promote, and support young talented artists, giving them the necessary tools to launch an international career.
Now more than three quarters of a century old, Concours de Genève has revealed nearly 800 artists, with prestigious names including Georg Solti, Martha Argerich, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Victoria de los Angeles, Maurizio Pollini, Friedrich Gulda, Maurice André, José van Dam, Christian Zacharias, Emmanuel Pahud and Nelson Goerner.
Among the forty instruments that have been under the spotlight since it was founded, Concours de Genève has alternated a few key disciplines: piano, flute, oboe, clarinet, cello, viola, string quartet, vocals, percussion and composition.
An artistic partner of the Concours de Genève since its inception, each year the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande accompanies candidates at the Finals at Victoria Hall.
Upcoming competitions:
- 2023 - Flute & Quartet
- 2024 - Voice & Composition
Lausanne Chamber Orchestra (OCL)
Founded in 1942 by violinist Victor Desarzens, the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra has become one of the most sought-after chamber orchestras in Europe.
The dynamism, profile and the tremendous musical experience of the renowned French violinist and conductor Renaud Capuçon, its artistic director since 2021, has given the orchestra an even wider international reputation and has attracted the greatest artists.
Made up of around forty musicians, the OCL is resident in the Salle Métropole and regularly performs in the Théâtre de Beaulieu with a repertoire from early Baroque to contemporary compositions.
Media partners
MEZZO, the international reference for classical music, jazz and dance on television, is now broadcast in nearly 100 countries to more than 65 million subscribers, and is available on two complementary channels:
Mezzo, an invitation to explore the repertoire – New prodigies, the stars of today and legends of the past, in all repertoires and formats.
Mezzo Live, the ultimate concert hall – Mezzo Live invites you to the finest of concert halls; opera and ballet houses, festivals and more.
With over 40 live shows each year filmed exclusively in HD, Mezzo Live brings you the best of the international music scene.
Mezzo has been a proud partner of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande for many years, regularly broadcasting orchestra concerts live from the Victoria Hall in Geneva, as well as footage from the orchestra’s prestigious archives.
Schweizer Fonogramm
The label Schweizer Fonogramm is passionately dedicated to the recording of classical music and produces only studio projects, in the purest tradition of the great historical recordings. All the productions of the label benefit from the knowledge of the musical universe of its production team and its partner ADCSound.
Schweizer Fonogramm transcribes emotion with passion on all media.
The label is interested in all repertoires from all eras.
The work of the label Schweizer Fonogramm has been internationally recognized since its inception in 2017: German Record Critics Award, ICMA, Supersonic, Joker of crescendo, OPUS Klassik. Schweizer Fonogramm productions receive rave reviews in Switzerland, Germany, France, England, Austria....
Plongez dans l'ère nouvelle de la musique classique avec l'Icologram-OSR, une collaboration exceptionnelle entre l'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (OSR) et Cybel'Art, créateur du protocole icologram®.
Inventé par Cybel'Art en 2019, icologram® est un protocole révolutionnaire en art numérique et holographie. Depuis 2023, cette innovation sert de fondation à notre partenariat avec l'OSR, ouvrant la voie à des expériences symphoniques immersives et avant-gardistes. L’icologram® OSR incarne notre vision de fusionner la magie de la réalité étendue (XR) et holographique avec la grandeur de la musique symphonique. Cette initiative marque non seulement un jalon dans le domaine de l’ArtTech mais redéfinit également la manière dont nous expérimentons la Musique.
Exchange partner
Fleuriot
Fleuriot Fleurs is pleased to once again support the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande for the 2023-24 season.
Constantly evolving, attentive to new trends and techniques, without forgetting the great classics, we create exclusive creations with elegance for every moment of life: birth, marriage, declaration of love and friendship, thanks and last tribute...
Fleuriot strives to earn the trust of a loyal clientele. The service offered to the client is impeccable both in terms of confidentiality and advice. It is unique with home delivery in Geneva and its surroundings, even on Sundays.
Our main Corraterie store as well as our shops at Gare Cornavin, Genève Aéroport, Gare des Eaux-Vives, Manor Genève and Chavannes wish the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande a successful 2023-24 season and look forward to showcase the magic of flowers on stage, bringing together the public and the colorful poetry of plants and musical instruments.