Tavernier Tschanz with Ingo Metzmacher vs Grand Théâtre de Genève

In August 2017, the Grand Théâtre de Genève and conductor Ingo Metzmacher signed an employment contract for the direction of Richard Wagner’s work for the 2018-2019 season. Ingo Metzmacher was to provide three performances of the cycle, spread over twelve evenings, between May and October 2018. The agreement provided for a remuneration of CHF 18,000 per evening, as well as a lump sum of CHF 20,000 for expenses.  

A month later, the director general of the Grand Théâtre informed Ingo Metzmacher that serious water infiltration had appeared during the renovation of the building and that the planning of the Ring had to be reviewed. The conductor sent an order to pay CHF 216,000 francs to the Grand Théâtre. The latter refused, considering that the infiltrations constituted a case of force majeure excluding any compensation, according to the contract. 

In December 2020, the Grand Théâtre was ordered to pay CHF 216,000, with 5% interest from February 2018. The Court of Justice deducted from this amount EUR 13,600 corresponding to the fee for a concert conducted for Radio France during the period reserved for Geneva.  

The Federal Court rejected the institution’s appeal and confirmed the decision rendered in December 2020 by the Canton Court of Justice.  

Tavernier Tschanz represented Ingo Metzmacher against the Grand Théâtre. The team was led by partner Nicolas Kuonen (pictured) and included Sophie Anzevui, Aurélien Charmillot and Alexandre C..