Don Carlos at Opéra Bastille

Directed by Krzysztof Warlikowski
Giuseppe Verdi's Don Carlos at the Opéra Bastille in Paris in 2024, Opera
Opéra Bastille

Until April 25, 2025

French surtitled in English

Location

Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris
Capacity 2700 seats

Duration

4 h 40 min

With intermission


Details

Opera

For all audiences

In French with French and English surtitles


HIGHLIGHTS: DON CARLOS

Don Carlos on the stage of the Opéra Bastille means just one thing — you are about to witness a performance of a Verdi opera in French. Yes, you’ve read that right!

 

This great Italian composer was commissioned by the Paris Opéra to write this specific version of the opera, which was first performed on the very same stage of the Opéra Bastille in 1867. In the interest of historical preservation, it is also the version that will be presented this 2024-2025 season as well! You can look forward to the added pleasure of Don Carlos in five acts rather than the four acts of the Italian version — you are a part of the happy few with that chance!

 

Verdi adopts the form of the French grand opera without sacrificing any of the richness of his music, showcasing an exceptional skill for creative adaptation. His music brilliantly reflects intimate and political conflicts and is characterised by passages dosed with pure emotion, passionate duets, grandiose ensembles, and powerful choruses. The rich and varied orchestration helps to create an exceptional dramatic atmosphere that audiences have revelled in over the past century!

 

On the vocal side, you'll find the greatest contemporary talents modern opera has to offer, with the American tenor Charles Castronovo as Don Carlos, the bass voice of Alexander Tsymbalyuk, the beautiful soprano voice of Marina Rebeka, and the voice of mezzo-soprano Ekatarina Gubanova.

As for the staging, Krzysztof Warlikowski has some magnificent scenes full of surprises in store for you.
Long live grand opera à la française!

 

 

See details for our premium option below!

PREMIUM OPTION AND EXPERIENCE at Opéra Bastille

Looking for more than a standard ticket to the show? To make your experience an unforgettable one, you will be able to choose this following upgraded offer at the time of booking:

 

Champagne + Programme + Exclusive Access to Salon Berlioz + Show
Indulge in the premium opera experience! Elevate your evening with our exclusive package, available even after standard ticket sales have closed. With this premium option, relish a glass of champagne, receive a show programme, and enjoy privileged access to the Opéra Bastille's Salon Berlioz — an intimate space reserved for our premium guests.

 

Please note, this special package is exclusively offered through the Theatre in Paris box office, thanks to our official partnership with the Friends of Paris Opera Association. Don't miss the chance to make your opera night truly exceptional.

SYNOPSIS OF DON CARLOS

Giuseppe Verdi's opera in five acts, Don Carlos, is based on the eponymous historical drama by Friedrich Schiller. Set in 16th-century Spain, the plot combines love, politics, and religious conflict in one explosive narrative.

 

The story follows Don Carlos, the son of King Philip II of Spain, who is in love with Elisabeth de Valois, who is promised to his father. Their impossible love affairs are the driving force behind the plot, exacerbated by the political and religious tensions between Spain and France, as well as the intrigues of the Court.

 

Verdi adds in the machinations of the Inquisition, represented by the Grand Inquisitor, who exerts a terrifying influence on Spanish political life. The main characters are subject to harrowing moral dilemmas, faced with impossible choices between love and duty, freedom and loyalty, and other such perilous dichotomies.

 

With a historical plot full of twists and turns, Verdi created a grandiose opera by setting themes of love, power, and freedom to intensely moving music.

 

Opera fans and first-timers alike are sure to love this French version of Don Carlos by one of the greatest composers in the history of opera, and its cast of complex historical characters such as the Marquis of Posa, Philip II, and Princess Eboli.
Hurry to Opéra Bastille to discover the sublime beauty and immense power of this music!

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Opéra Bastille

Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris

History and Fun Facts about the Opéra Bastille

 

Designed by Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott, the building was commissioned by French President François Mitterrand and inaugurated in 1989. For years, many had lamented the lack of a modern venue in Paris capable of welcoming modern concerts and performances with different acoustic approaches, and the flexibility that a modulable venue lends. A movement started in the 1960s called for a larger new venue in Paris that would appeal to the masses, a modern compliment to the elaborate Palais Garnier. Just over 100 years after the inauguration of the Palais Garnier, the demands finally won over the newly-elected President Mitterrand, who supported the project as the headliner among many modern works launched during his term. Selecting the popular Bastille neighbourhood for its ease of accessibility from Paris and the surrounding areas, the old Bastille Train Station was destroyed to make way for the construction of the new venue. The building was completed just in time for the bicentenary of the French Revolution.  

 

The venue has undergone many changes in direction resulting from varying political affiliations, and has undergone major renovations since its construction to repair and to soundproof the entire structure. Unlike other auditorium designs, each and every seat at the Opéra Bastille guarantees an unrestricted view of the stage. With its white glass ceiling, crisp gray compliments, and black seating adorned with rich oak, the venue is an ode to modernity and simplistic design. From the exterior, made of blue granite from Brittany and blocks of glass, light is reflected from every corner of this angular venue.

 

Fast facts
Capacity: 2,745
Handicap Accessible: Yes – in order to guarantee access to specific locations, we ask that you make your reservation at least 15 days before the performance.
Air conditioning: Yes
Heating: Yes
Coat Check: Yes (free service)

FAQ

How do I get to Opéra Bastille in the 12th arrondissement of Paris?

The Opéra Bastille is accessible by:
Metro: Line 1 (station Bastille), line 5 (station Bastille), line 8 (station Bastille)
RER: Line A (station Gare de Lyon)
Address: 120 rue de Lyon, 75012 Paris
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 Opéra Bastille?

We invite you to arrive 45 minutes before the beginning of the opera Don Carlos, and present your voucher at the front desk. The Opéra Bastille’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.
The concert hall’s doors close 15 minutes after the start of the performance and reopen at intermission if the performance includes one.
If you arrive within 15 minutes after the start of the performance, you will not be allowed to enter the opera house and will be directed to an area with a television where you can watch the first part of the show. You will be able to return to your seats during the intermission if the performance includes one.

How long does the opera, Don Carlos, last?

The opera Don Carlos at Opéra Bastille lasts approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes, with intermission.

Is Don Carlos for an international audience or French speakers?

Both! The Opéra Bastille has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for many years. The opera, Don Carlos, 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 Opéra Bastille, each category provides a comfortable view of the surtitles. The surtitles are projected above and on the sides of the stage. Our Premium tickets offer the best view of the stage and surtitles.
*Surtitles (also called supertitles) are the theatre equivalent of subtitles. That’s because in French “sur” means “above”.

Is there a dress code at the Opéra Bastille?

There is no specific dress code at Opéra Bastille, but proper attire is appreciated. Feel free to dress to impress and reflect the fabulous contemporary architecture at the Opéra Bastille!

Can I choose my seat when booking?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to choose your seat when booking for Don Carlos. However, you can choose the category, and we will allocate you the best seats in the chosen 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.

 

At the Paris Opera, the seats are assigned in odd numbers or even numbers. Therefore, if your tickets are consecutive odd numbers or even numbers (For example: 1, 3, 5,...), they will be adjacent.

 

You can find the seating plan in the theatre’s "photo" section on this page.

What is included with my premium ticket at Opéra Bastille?

The Premium tickets are our most exclusive package and include seating in category Optima, the best category in the house, a programme of the show, a glass of champagne, and exclusive access to the magnificent Salon Berlioz.

 

Your programme: At the Opéra Bastille, you may pick your programme in the main shop as well as at the programme stands located at the main entrance, on the 2nd and 4th floors.
Your glass of champagne: You can choose to enjoy your glass of champagne before the performance or during intermission. Champagne will be available at public bars or in the exclusive Salon Berlioz. The Salon is located on the 1st floor, at the right of the entrance to the Opéra Bastille. It is accessible by elevator or by stairs.

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

Yes, it’s completely normal! As the premium tickets for Don Carlos include exclusive add-ons, your order will first be created as a pre-booking so the Paris Opera can assign your seats and prepare your exclusive package.
You may see a pre-charge on your card but you can rest assured that we will not charge your card until the booking is validated by the Paris Opera. After the tickets are confirmed, you will receive your tickets by email.
Given the large number of requests the Paris Opera 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.