Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris
Capacity 2700 seats
Faust
Location
Duration
3 hours 40 minutes
With 2 intermissions
Details
Opera
Recommended for all ages
French with English subtitles
Highlights: Faust
Gounod's dazzling melodies, starting with his famous "Air des Bijoux", will amaze the public at the Opera Bastille in a new staging by Tobias Kratzer. The 1859 opera, created to a libretto of Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, is based on the legend of Faust and the play written by Goethe. Faust is Charles Gounod's best-known work and, along with Carmen de Bizet, remains the most performed French opera in the world!
To make your experience an unforgettable one, you will be able to choose from a selection of unique add-ons upon booking, such as a private cocktail, or a glass of champagne and exclusive access to the Salon Berlioz. See below for more details.
Story: Faust
Old Doctor Faust is tired of life, he thinks of ending the world around him and invokes the Devil, who appears to him in the form of Mephistopheles. The Devil makes Faust sign a pact guaranteeing him a new youth in exchange for his soul. Seduced by the young Marguerite, whom Satan made appear to convince him to sign the pact, Faust is now a handsome and young nobleman. He leaves to conquer the beauty, who will not resist the gifts and the amorous impulses of her suitor. But Mephistopheles is always one step ahead...
Abandoned as quickly as she was seduced, Marguerite will do anything to save her soul from the Devil, even if it means sacrificing the life of the child conceived with Faust.
Gounod's opera is one of the most beautiful scores in the French repertoire: the sublime “Air des Bijoux”, “Choeur des Soldats” and “Invocation à La Nuit” underline the expressive richness as well as the poetry, color and character virtuosity of the work.
Tobias Kratzer transports Faust in a staging between hyperrealism and magic, mixing the features of our contemporary society and the mysterious atmosphere of German romanticism.
Add-Ons & Special Experiences
Looking for more than a standard ticket to the show? To make your experience an unforgettable one, you will be able to choose one of the following upgrated offers at the time of booking:
Private Dinner Cocktail + Champagne + Programme + Show (6 pers. minimum)
This package includes an exclusive private lounge, an assortment of 25 appetisers per person, champagne, wines and soft drinks.
Private Cocktail + Champagne + Programme + Show (6 pers. minimum)
This package includes an exclusive private lounge, an assortment of 10 appetisers per person, champagne and soft drinks.
Champagne + Programme + Exclusive Access to Salon Berlioz + Show
This package is available even after standard sales for the opera are closed. It includes a glass of champagne, a show programme, and exclusive access to the Opéra Bastille's beautiful Salon Berlioz, reserved for primary ticket holders. A result of our official partnership with the Friends of Paris Opera Association, the package can only be purchased via the Theatre in Paris box office.
Reviews
Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris
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: 2745 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
FAQ
How do I get to the venue?
The Palais Garnier is accessible by the metro station Opéra (Lines 3, 7, 8) and Auber (RER Line A). Our hotline can be reached in case of difficulty finding the venue weekdays from 10 am to 7pm Paris time. For details, we invite you to consult the map above.
What do I do when I get to the venue?
We invite you to arrive 30 minutes before the beginning of the show, and present your voucher at the front desk. The theatre's English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats. Please note that the performances at the Palais Garnier begin precisely on time, and all late arrivals will not be permitted to enter the auditorium until intermission.
Is there a coat check available?
Free cloakrooms are available on various floors of the theatre. Travel bags and suitcase are not allowed.
Can I take photos of the performance?
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 the show. As long as the performance is not currently in session, feel free to take a snapshot of the wonderful venue to remember your night out!
Is it a show for travellers or French people?
Both! The Palais Garnier has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for close to 150 years. This concert series does not include any dialogs.
Is there a dress code?
There is no particular dress code. However, we do request that you dress suitably. On gala evenings, a dark suit is suggested for gentlemen and a dress for ladies.
Subtitles or surtitles?
Surtitles are theatrical equivalents of subtitles. At the Opéra Bastille, surtitles are projected above and to the sides of the stage and are visible from all locations.
How long does the opera last?
Faust opera will last 3 hours 40 minutes with 2 intermissions.
Covid-19 Information
Specific measures and obligations may apply to this show. Before making your reservation, please check the updated information on our Covid-19 page: https://www.theatreinparis.com/en/page/covid-19