Opéra Comique
Place Boieldieu - 75002 Paris
Capacity 1200 seats
Fantasio
Opéra Comique
Until December 23, 2023
French with surtitles in English
Location
Duration
2 h 45 min
With intermission
Details
Opera
For all audiences
In French with English and French surtitles
Highlights: Fantasio
A classic comic opera returns to the ornate stage of the fabled Opéra Comique in Paris, where it premiered in 1872! Where better to see Jacques Offenbach's Fantasio?
This one-of-a-kind work is guaranteed to please both opera lovers and newcomers discovering this timeless art. Offenbach's music is cheerful, bewitchingly catchy, and easy to listen to, yet expertly constructed and lacking no degree of musical excellence. The formidable arias require strong voices, and the talented cast of this comic opera certainly deliver! A joyful and festive atmosphere is cultivated amidst this opera’s songs and dynamism.
The merriment of this score is rivalled only by that of the story of Fantasio, which is by no means short of twists, turns, and humour! The plot revolves around our titular character, Fantasio, a lowly jester who decides to impersonate the Prince of Mantua in order to win the heart of Princess Elsbeth. This perilous endeavour results in a rip-roaring comedy full of adventures, amusing predicaments, and unexpected twists…The Opéra Comique, known for its creative and innovative staging, brings this forgotten piece back to the forefront of the Paris opera scene with an immaculate series of performances. With Fantasio, the audience can expect an elaborate production, complete with equally elaborate costumes and sets that help immerse the audience in the whimsical world of Jacques Offenbach. A show that will appeal to a wide audience: Offenbach’s Fantasio!
See details for a premium add-on below!
Story: Fantasio
Fantasio is a comic opera in three acts, composed by Jacques Offenbach and with a French libretto by Paul de Musset, and premiered in 1872 at Paris’ very own Opéra Comique. The story takes place in a fictional kingdom and follows the adventures of Fantasio, a jester who falls in love with Princess Elsbeth. She is engaged to the Prince of Mantua, who is considered a hero by the inhabitants of the kingdom. In pursuit of true love, Fantasio decides to steal the prince's identity in order to win Elsbeth's heart. However, the course of true love never did run smooth!
Offenbach's music is a mixture of styles, ranging from lyrical to comic, and it paved the way for Les Contes d'Hoffmann. Come and hear the spectacular arias; “Voyez dans la nuit brune” and “Je n'ai donc pas reçu la lettre”. Sensational score aside, this comic opera is also known for its dances and choreography, in particular the waltz in the second act. Fantasio was a moderate success at its premiere, and was performed regularly until the late 1900s, at which point it was sadly forgotten, only to be rediscovered in the 20th century. This lovely piece is rendered even more delightful by Thomas Jolly's exquisite staging and the magnificent soprano voice of Gaëlle Arquez, the rising star of the French opera scene, who takes on a travesti role for this show. The Opéra Comique has more surprises in store for us this 2023 season…!
Premium Experience
Would you like a little more than just a ticket to the show? To make your experience unforgettable, you can choose to extend the evening with an evening concert after the opera has finished. This is given by artists from the production or the Academy on the theme of the opera being performed. It lasts approximately 50 minutes. You will have the option to include the premium add-on during the reservation process.
The evening concerts are available on the following dates:
• Friday, December 15th, 2023
• Thursday, December 21st, 2023
Reviews
Opéra Comique
Place Boieldieu - 75002 Paris
Opéra Comique
If you take a walk in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, you will be delighted to discover in the small, quaint Place Boieldieu, a superb building of beautiful proportions topped by six caryatids: the Opéra Comique, a theatre house in Paris, which celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2015. You will be surprised to learn that this gold and red auditorium, also known as Salle Favart, is considered the first modern theatre in France because it was the first to be designed with fully electric equipment for both public and stage lighting.
That doesn’t rest as the only surprise… Despite its name, the Opéra Comique doesn’t only perform comic operas, a particular kind of musical show that mixes sung arias with spoken theatre (the ancestor of the musical), but a wide range of operas as well! It was in this venue that works that are now internationally known were created, such as Berlioz's La Damnation de Faust, Delibes's Lakmé, Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande... but also Massenet's Manon and Bizet's Carmen! This hall has welcomed the finest composers and never ceased to welcome works from the contemporary repertoire. Viva la musica! Viva l'opera!
Fast facts Capacity: 1,200 seats Handicap Accessible: Yes Air conditioning: No Chauffage: Yes
FAQ
How do I get to Opéra Comique in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris?
The Opéra Comique is accessible by: Metro lines: The Opéra Comique is accessible by the metro lines 3, 7, 8, or 9 which run until the following metro stations: Opéra, Quatre Septembre, or Grands Boulevards. RER subway lines: The Opéra Comique is accessible by taking the RER A to the station Auber. Bus lines: The Opéra Comique is accessible by the bus lines 20, 27, 39, 48, 67, 74, 85, 95 which run until the following stations: Le Peletier - Hausmann, Choiseul , Richelieu Drouot, or Richelieu - 4 septembre. Our hotline can be reached in case of difficulty finding the theatre from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Paris time. For details, we invite you to consult the map above.
What do I do when I get to the Opéra Comique?
We recommend that you arrive 45 minutes before the start of the show, and present your voucher at the front desk. The Opéra Comique’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.
Can I take photos during Fantasio?
In order not to disturb the artists on stage, and for the comfort of other guests, you are not permitted to photograph, film, or record the performance for the duration of Fantasio. As long as the performance is not currently in session, feel free to take a snapshot of the Opéra Comique to remember your night out!
How long does Fantasio last?
Fantasio lasts approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, with intermission.
What does my ticket for Fantasio entitle me to?
When you purchase a ticket to Fantasio, you can attend a presentation which shares the "keys to the show" and offers the chance to sing in the rotunda under the direction of a professional conductor.
This presentation takes place 35 minutes before the performance.
Subtitles or “surtitles”?
Surtitles (also called supertitles), are the theatre equivalent of subtitles. That’s because in French “sur” means “above”. At the Opéra Comique, the text is projected both on the sides of the auditorium, and centrally, directly above the stage.
Is there a specific dress code at the Opéra Comique?
No, there is no specific dress code at the Opéra Comique. However, proper attire is always appreciated.
Is there a coat check available at the Opéra Comique?
A free cloakroom is available in the entrance hall of the theatre. The Opéra Comique does not accept means of transport, such as skates or folding bikes. For security reasons, travel bags and suitcases are not allowed.
Is tipping customary at the Opéra Comique?
It is not customary to tip ushers at the Opéra Comique.
Is it a show for travelers or French people?
Both! The Opéra Comique has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for 300 years. Fantasio is sung in its original French, and surtitles in both French and English are provided for audiences to appreciate a show in one of France’s most iconic venues.
How do I know if my seats are next to each other?
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.
At the Opéra Comique, 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.