A Fondation for the Royal Opera of Versailles

Fondation des Amis de l’Opéra Royal–Académie des beaux-arts

A Foundation for the Royal Opera of Versailles

The Foundation of the Royal Opera of Versailles was created at the Palace of the Institut de France on Wednesday March 10, 2021. It is a "foundation under aegis" under the auspices of the Academy of Beaux Arts, created jointly by ADOR – the Friends of the Royal Opera and the Academy of Beaux Arts, a merger of the royal academies of painting, sculpture, architecture and music.

« By housing this Foundation in the service of the Royal Opera, the Academy of Beaux Arts thus fully assumes its statutory mission of defending and representing the artistic heritage of France »
Laurent Petitgirard, Permanent Secretary of the Academy of Beaux Arts

Missions

The primary mission of the Foundation of the Royal Opera is to perpetuate the season of concerts and operas at the Palace of Versailles. It acts to ensure the continuation of a full artistic season at the Royal Opera and the Royal Chapel. It supports educational projects linked to the programming of the Royal Opera and awards grants and prizes to artists.

To carry out its missions, the Foundation may appeal to the generosity of the public and solicit bequests and donations. Its accounts are under the strict oversight by the Academy of Beaux Arts.

« By creating this foundation in such uncertain times, the Friends of the Royal Opera express to us their determination that music continues to live on in Versailles where Louis XIV wanted it to accompany every moment of the day »
Catherine Pégard, President of the Palace of Versailles

Founders Committee

The creation of the Foundation was made possible thanks to a substantial endowment of 850,000 € provided by a committee made up of founding members who are involved in its governance.

The founding members undertake to supplement the endowment of the foundation and to support its long-term development.

To date, the founding members are:

Aline Foriel-Destezet, Patricia Seigle et Armelle Gauffenic, Michèle et Alain Pouyat, Isabelle et Patrick Boissier, Christine et Thierry Debeneix, Jean-Claude Broguet, Hugo Brugière, Charles Vignes, Stephan Chenderoff, Serge Erceau, Olivier Raoux, Christian Peronne, Roni Michaly (Société Financière Galilée).

« On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the Opéra Royal, it was important for me to personally and actively contribute to its influence by initiating this foundation whose mission is to perpetuate a musical season at the Château de Versailles »
Aline Foriel-Destezet, Founding member

Gouvernance

The creation of this foundation strengthens the capacity of ADOR in its support of the Royal Opera. Through the Foundation, donors’ gifts and charitable bequests benefit from consequential tax advantages under French tax laws.
The Foundation is governed by a board of 6 directors: Laurent Petitgirard (president), Aline Foriel-Destezet (vice-president), Wilfried Meynet (current president of ADOR), Hugues Gall (Academician), Muriel Mayette -Holtz (Academician) and Alain Pouyat, a delegate of the Founders' committee.

« We salute the remarkable commitment of these founders, who express a strong desire to maintain the Royal Opera at the level of excellence which symbolizes Versailles »
Laurent Brunner, Director of the Royal Opera and of the Palace of Versailles Spectacles

Make a gift

ADOR – The Friends of The Royal Opera

The Circle of Corporate Patrons

Gala Dinner of the Royal Opera