Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival 2013

The 2013 Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival will resonate like fireworks this year in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Monte-Carlo SBM. From 6 July to 19 August, the Salle des Etoiles - now known as an international music temple due to its major festival - will host a constellation of stars, setting the scene for a magical summer!

A widely recognised festival

Jean René Palacio, Artistic Director at SBM and the real conductor of this festival, wanted an event on the same grand scale as this celebration. It symbolises the extraordinary cultural and human adventure launched in 1863 by SBM and its founder, François Blanc: an invitation to one of the world's dream destinations.

This is why the festival's agenda, which has become an international music mecca and embodies the elegance of Monaco, will welcome the hottest musical talent to the Principality this summer!

A constellation of artists

A whole host of special moments await you at the Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival. A headlining act is American superstar Rihanna, hailed as the greatest pop artist of the last 20 years by America's Billboard magazine. The star will treat us to two exceptional concerts: a visual and auricular feast infused with R 'n' B. pop and dance-hall.

The rock world will also cause a stir! The most British and the sexiest of singer-songwriters Rod Stewart makes his return to the stage for the release of his new album Time, which his many fans can enjoy when he performs on two evenings at the Sporting Monte-Carlo.

And yet another British touch with Sir Elton John honouring us at this exceptional concert. This master of pop who has inspired a generation of artists and composed tracks for the biggest names, will enchant us with songs from his amazing 40-year career that catapulted him to the pinnacle of stardom. He is a monument in music history.

Much to our delight, the famous soprano, Barbara Hendricks will also return to the stage and we will welcome the most Latino of guitar heroes, Carlos Santana as well as Roger Hodgson, co-founder of Supertramp, not to mention Michael Bolton, the king of rock ballads, Bryan Ferry, one of Brit Pop's leading crooners, and even Mr Joe Cocker, "the finest larynx of all time" (according to Bob Dylan).

Legendary bands and dazzling shows

The stars will be out in force all summer long to create this constellation that is the Sporting Summer Festival with a selection of legendary bands. Among them, Deep Purple, the legendary trio Crosby, Stills & Nash with their unique vocal harmonies, and Elvis Costello & The Imposters (who have a small surprise in store for the audience).

And in the spirit of cabaret, SBM offers three big shows in the summer which will feature highly in reviews. "Spirit of the Dance" based on tap dancing techniques promises to be a fabulous show with original music and outstanding choreography already enjoyed by 30 million spectators. Accompaniment for the Sporting Monte-Carlo will be provided by the exceptional Celtic Ladies ensemble as well as a laser show from the Luminere classical violinists.

The Monte-Carlo Rat Pack will faithfully recreate famous shows from the 1960s with songs from the biggest crooners such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and Dean Martin.

The "Oriental Night" will close the festival on 19 August with the gentle yet lustful voice of the Middle East's most popular singer Najwa Karam, the "Sun of the Lebanese Song".

The Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival at the heart of the Riviera

The agenda will spotlight French and Italian artists who have always had a close, almost intimate relationship with the public in the Salle des Etoiles. Michel Sardou will celebrate his 50-year career with his latest show "Les Grands Moments", Garou will present his last project Rhythm and Blues, not to mention the most French of the British, Mika, whose music is reminiscent of Queen or Elton John's finest hours. Mika will be the star of the only standing concert of the summer.

From the other side of the Alps, superstar Eros Ramazzotti will give a concert at the Red Cross on 2 August, before the arrival of the popular Biagio Antonacci, Roman Claudio Baglioni, the mythical group Pooh accompanied by the Ensemble Symphony Orchestra, and finally the tenor Roberto Alagna with his show "Little Italy" which celebrates this passionate transborder relationship.

With 23 artists, bands and shows planned over 40 nights, the Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival once again proves that it is among the greatest live music festivals on the planet. This may just be the best 150th birthday present that SBM will receive...

Also check out the SBM website for special 150th anniversary packages:
http://www.montecarlosbm.com

From 6 July to 19 August
Salle des Etoiles
Sporting Monte-Carlo

Information/Reservations:

T. (377) 98 06 36 36
10am to 7pm, 7 days a week
ticketoffice@sbm.mc