Carmen at the Royal Opera of Versailles

With Hervé Niquet (Conductor) and Christian Lacroix (Costumes)
Carmen at the Royal Opera of Versailles With Hervé Niquet (Conductor) and Christian Lacroix (Costumes)
Royal Opera of Versailles

Until January 22, 2025

French surtitled in English

Location

Royal Opera of Versailles
4 avenue de Paris, 78000 Versailles
Capacity 750 seats

Duration

3 hours

With intermission


Details

Opera

For all audiences

In French with French and English surtitles


HIGHLIGHTS: CARMEN AT THE ROYAL OPERA OF VERSAILLES

Attention ladies and gentlemen, lovers of burning, all-consuming passions and rousing music! From January 14th to 22nd, 2025, the Royal Opera of Versailles will be transformed into a veritable Spanish arena to present Carmen by Georges Bizet's, which is also the most performed opera in the world.

 

On the stage of the Royal Opera, you will find an exceptional cast. The two French mezzo-sopranos Adèle Charvet and Éléonore Pancrazi will lend their voices, alternately, to the seductive and rebellious Carmen, capable of turning heads and arousing jealousy. Julien Behr and Kévin Amiel, also alternating, will play the fiery Don José, a soldier broken by love and ready to do anything for his beautiful Carmen.

 

Alexandre Duhamel lends his beautiful baritone voice to the bullfighter Escamillo, Don José's rival and the object of all his desires.
Around them, a troupe of talented singers and dancers will transport you to Spain in the 19th century, with its seductive gypsies, cigar girls, highly cunning smugglers and flamboyant bullfighters.

 

Under the expert baton of Hervé Niquet, the Royal Opera Orchestra will bring Bizet's vibrant score to life, with its fiery arias, frenzied rhythms and unforgettable melodies such as Carmen's famous “Habanera”, the “Seguidilla”, The “Toreador Song”.

 

Don't miss this colourful, emotion-packed show! Let yourself be swept away by the tragic story of Carmen and Don José, and thrill to the sound of Bizet's unforgettable music.
And don't forget: at the Royal Opera of Versailles, lyrical tragedies always have a chic touch about them... especially when the costumes are made by... Christian Lacroix!
Viva España!

 

 

See details for our premium options below!

PREMIUM OPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES

Looking for more than a standard ticket to the show? To make your experience an unforgettable one, choose between one of the following upgraded offers at the time of booking:

 

  • Prestige Tickets: Show + Glass of Champagne + Programme
  • This ticket category includes a glass of champagne, a specially prepared programme of the show, as well as exclusive access to the two best categories in the house.

 

  • Prestige VIP Tickets: Show + Glass of Champagne + Programme
  • This ticket category includes a glass of champagne, a specially prepared programme of the show, as well as exclusive access to the best seats in the house.

STORY: CARMEN AT THE ROYAL OPERA OF VERSAILLES

A quick reminder for those unfamiliar with Bizet's Carmen

 

We are in Spain, in the city of Seville. Arrested following a brawl, Carmen, a bohemian with a fiery temper, seduces the brigadier Don José, who is engaged to Micaela, and promises him his love if he helps her escape. Don José frees Carmen and is in turn imprisoned.

 

Two months later, he finds her among smugglers. José becomes a deserter for her, and, led by his passionate love, pursues her out of jealousy. The Bohemian woman rejects him, and Micaela is the only one to succeed in bringing José back to his dying mother's bedside.

 

The final meeting between Carmen and Don José takes place outside the Seville bullring: as she awaits her new lover, the bullfighter Escamillo, José tries, in a final confrontation, to convince Carmen to return to him.
Desperate, Don José begs, pleads and threatens, but she stubbornly refuses. He, then, stabs her, before confessing his crime in front of the crowd.

 

Carmen is an opera with rousing arias, colourful characters and an astonishing story. It's a classic that's sure to make you thrill, laugh and cry.
So if you're in the mood for a colourful, emotionally-charged performance, don't miss Carmen at the Royal Opera of Versailles!

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Royal Opera of Versailles

4 avenue de Paris, 78000 Versailles

History and Fun Facts about the Royal Opera of Versailles

 

Categorized as one of the largest performance halls in Europe during its inauguration in 1770 requested by Louis XV, it is presently still admired as one of the grand luxurious stages in Paris due to its lavishing décor composed of early-century design. The ceiling above the room comprises an exquisite form of art, something similar to what you would see in the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

 

Opéra Royal was no ordinary room, it was prestigious among wealthy individuals who fancied theater. Hosting 1,500 people, only a specific number of guests were invited to view the best shows in Paris at the esteemed Versailles palace. Later, the room was also used as a ballroom and a banquet hall.

 

After the revolution, the Opéra Royal room was left whole but stripped of its 18th-century embellishment. Altering its original appearance, the room is renovated for official shows such as the opening of the Versailles museum in 1837. Renovated and inaugurated once again in 1957 after the Second World War by orders of architect André Japy, the room undertook a whole new look. In 2009 Opéra Royal opened its doors to spectators from all over the world and began to display an array of enlightened shows such as contemporary dance, ballet recitals, opera, and classical music concerts. Presently it offers more than 100 performances per season in its golden room occupied with ostentatious chandeliers, surrounded by red velvet seating.

 

 

Fast facts
Capacity: 750
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Air conditioning: No
Heating: Yes
Coat Check: Yes (free service)

FAQ

How do I get to the Royal Opera of Versailles?

The Royal Opera of Versailles is accessible by:
RER: Line C (station Versailles Château Rive Gauche), from this station, the castle is a 10-minute walk.
Transilien: Line N (station Versailles Chantiers), line U (station Versailles Chantiers), line L (station Versailles Rive Droite), from this station, the castle is a 25-minute walk.
Address: Place d’Armes, 78000 Paris
You can find a map to guide you to the the Royal Opera’s ticket office in the theatre’s "photo" section on this page.
In case of difficulty, our hotline can be reached during our business hours. Please see the footer of this page for our contact details.

What do I do when I get to the Royal Opera of Versailles?

The Royal Opera of Versailles is located within the Château de Versailles. To get there, follow the signs for Entrance B at the top right of the Cour d'Honneur.
We invite you to arrive 20 minutes before the beginning of Carmen, and present your voucher at the front desk. The Royal Opera of Versailles’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.

How long does the opera, Carmen, last?

The opera Carmen at the Royal Opera of Versailles lasts approximately 3 hours, with intermission.

Is Carmen for an international audience or French speakers?

Both! The Royal Opera of Versailles has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for many years. The opera, Carmen, is sung in its original French version. Surtitles are provided in both French and English so that international audiences can appreciate this opera in this incredible Parisian venue.

Where will I be seated, and will I see the surtitles* properly?

At the Royal Opera of Versailles, the surtitles are projected on both on the sides of the stage and directly above the stage.
*Surtitles (also called supertitles) are the theatre equivalent of subtitles. Funfact: In French “sur” means “above”.

Is there a dress code at the Royal Opera of Versailles?

There is no specific dress code at Opéra Royal de Versailles, but proper attire is appreciated. Many Parisians will arrive directly from work, dressed in business casual or chic attire.

For Parisian operas and ballets, the dress code tends to be a bit fancier than in other venues, so feel free to have a little fun and dress to impress.

Can I choose my seat when booking?

When purchasing tickets, choose your preferred category and you will be allocated the best available seats in that category!
Please note that tickets of the same category that are booked during the same purchase session, in the same booking order on our website are always assigned side by side. To be sure of this, make sure all of your tickets are in the same category and are included in your shopping cart at the time of purchase.
If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.

I bought tickets for Carmen and I haven’t received them yet. Is this normal?

Yes, it’s completely normal! Your order will first be created as a pre-booking so that the Royal Opera of Versailles can assign your seat. You may see a pre-payment on your card, but rest assured that we will not charge your card until your reservation has been validated by the Royal Opera of Versailles. Once the reservation is confirmed, you will receive your ticket by email.
Due to the large number of requests that the Royal Opera of Versailles has to manage, this process usually takes two business days, but can take up to six days maximum. After six days if your order has not been validated, it will be cancelled, the pre-charge will disappear, and you will not be charged.