Iphigénie en Aulide - Iphigénie en Tauride at the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence

Iphigénie en Aulide - Iphigénie en Tauride au Festival d'Aix-en-Provence
Grand Théatre de Provence

Until July 16, 2024

French surtitled in English (See the page)
Iphigénie en Aulide - Iphigénie en Tauride au Festival d'Aix-en-Provence
Iphigénie en Aulide - Iphigénie en Tauride at the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence
Book now From 157€/person

Location

Grand Théatre de Provence
380 avenue Max Juvénal, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
Capacity 1350 seats

Duration

5 h 15 min

With intermission


Details

Opera

For all audiences

In French with French and English surtitles


Highlights: Iphigénie en Aulide - Iphigénie en Tauride at the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence

The Festival d’Art Lyrique in Aix-en-Provence is known for its proclivity to showcase operas that don’t shy away from universal themes of life, death, and the tumultuous space in-between. For your viewing pleasure, this beloved festival offers two sumptuous operas by theatrical sensation Christoph Willibald Gluck in one sensational evening: Iphigénie en Aulide and Iphigénie en Tauride.

 

An evening designed to showcase the immaculate talent of Gluck in seven acts, allow yourself to traverse the emotions provoked by these epic scores over the course of 5 hours and 15 minutes of music, including an interval of 1 hour and 30 minutes for some inward reflection. For the staging, the Festival d’Aix has called upon the talents of set extraordinaire Dmitri Tcherniakov, who seeks to plunge his audience into the heart of the curse of the Atreides. Emmanuelle Haïm takes the role of conductor for this session of incredible virtuosity, as accompanied by a stellar line-up of talented singers. American soprano Corinne Winters assumes the role of the titular Iphigénie, Véronique Gens as Clytemnestre, Alasdai Kent as Achilles, Florian Sempey as Orestes, and Stanislas de Barbeyrac as Pylade. The Grand Théâtre de Provence is home to so many talented performers...the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence is delighted to present a series of dazzling opera evenings alongside this stunning cast. Summer finally begins!

Story: Iphigénie en Aulide - Iphigénie en Tauride at the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence

At the Grand Théâtre de Provence, Iphigénie is in Aulide, and then subsequently in Tauride for an evening of pure operatic pleasure in two parts at the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence.

 

Gluck's Iphigénie en Aulide depicts the Greek tragedy in which the princess Iphigénie, initially sacrificed to appease the gods, becomes a heroine by courageously accepting her fate. Gluck sublimates the drama with moving music and expressive arias, underlining Iphigénie's transformation from a cowering victim into a paragon of strength and femininity.

 

Iphigénie en Tauride continues Iphigénie’s striking story, showing the princess in exile. In this continuation of her tragic tale, she evolves into the role of executioner, sacrificing strangers in her own blind fury. Gluck explores human duality, compassion, and the human proclivity to act violently. This opera features bold arias and intense moments, and shows us the psychological complexity of the heroine as the loose ends to her gripping story are finally tied.

 

Together, these two works highlight the changing nature of the human condition through trials and moral dilemmas. An unmissable watch for the initiated and first-timers to classical operatic theatre — indulge in some of Gluck’s finest!

Important Information

For this show, which is in 2 parts, it is essential that you keep your tickets, which you may be asked for when you enter the theatre after the intermission.

 

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Grand Théatre de Provence

380 avenue Max Juvénal, 13100 Aix-en-Provence

History and Fun Facts about the Grand Théâtre de Provence


Lovers of the lyric art form, rejoice — allow us to introduce you to your new favourite venue! Every summer since 2007, operatic fanatics have flocked from across the globe to the Grand Théâtre de Provence to revel in the sumptuous works of composers, both classical and contemporary, and to bear witness to exceptional productions as crafted by the most prominent directors in the opera and theatre scenes.

 

Ever since its construction at the gateway to the historic city of Aix-en-Provence - the south of France’s cultural pearl — the Grand Théâtre de Provence has stood as a paragon of musical showcasing. Enthusiasts and curious first-timers alike come here to discover (or revisit) the greatest operas in history.

 

Sprawling 20,000 square metres, the Grand Théâtre de Provence boasts 6,000 terraces, 1,382 seats, 10 rehearsal rooms, and a modular pit that can accommodate up to 105 musicians. This feat of architecture was designed by Italian architect Vittorio Gregotti, and was created with the aim of bringing music to all audiences - and, to this day, this is precisely what it does!

 

Every year during the world-famous Aix-en-Provence Festival, this historic venue comes alive as it throws its doors open to accommodate the beloved Festival d’Art Lyrique — a celebration of all things operatic, offering a veritable plethora of opera performances with exceptional stagings and magnificent scores.

 

Hosting around 100 performances a year, the Grand Théâtre de Provence is also a venue for artistic residences year-round, welcoming prestigious orchestras such as the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestre National de France, and many others. Renowned artists such as Anne-Sophie Mutter, Hélène Grimaud, and Vadim Repin have also frequented its storied stage. This celebrated roster of visitors is certainly testament to its exceptional acoustics, not to mention its legacy of brilliance in the world of music and theatre.

 

The streets of Aix-en-Provence are paved with wonder and whimsy. Come summer, you'll love strolling through them, enjoying the cultural and natural sights, and of course paying a visit to the Grand Théâtre de Provence — France’s Mecca of lyric art — to hear the very best in opera!

 

Fast facts
Capacity: 1350
Handicap Accessible: Yes — please let us know at hello@theatreinparis.com at the time of booking so that we can inform the theatre and accommodate to your needs the best we can.
Air conditioning: Yes
Heating: Yes
Coat Check: No

grand theatre provence festival d'aix-en-provence

FAQ

How do I get to Grand Théâtre de Provence in Aix-en-Provence?

The Grand Théâtre de Provence is located at 380 Avenue Max Juvénal in the charming town of Aix-en-Provence.
From the SNCF train station in the centre of Aix-en-Provence, you can walk to the Grand Théâtre de Provence in just 10 minutes through the picturesque streets of Aix-en-Provence. The centre of Aix-en-Provence is entirely pedestrianised.
From the TGV station, take the no. 40 bus to the bus station in the centre of town.
If you are coming by car, the Méjanes and Rotonde car parks are a 5-minute walk from the theatre.


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 Grand Théâtre de Provence?

We invite you to arrive 30 minutes before the start of the evening devoted to Gluck's two operas, Iphigénie en Aulide and Iphigénie en Tauride, and to then present your ticket at reception. The staff of the Grand Théâtre de Provence will show you to your seats.
In accordance with the Vigipirate plan, security measures around the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence performances have been reinforced. Bags will be searched and screened at the entrance to the Grand Théâtre de Provence for the safety of all spectators.

How long does the double-showing of Iphigénie en Aulide and Iphigénie en Tauride last?

The evening lasts approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes, with an intermission of 1 hour and 30 minutes to allow the singers to catch their breath and the technicians to modify the elements on stage.

For this show, which is in 2 parts, it is essential that you keep your tickets, which you may be asked for when you enter the theatre after the intermission.

Can I take photos during the performance of Iphigénie en Aulide and Iphigénie en Tauride?

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 Iphigénie en Aulide and Iphigénie en Tauride. As long as the performance is not currently in session, feel free to take a snapshot of the Grand Théâtre de Provence to remember your night out at the theatre!

Are the operas, Iphigénie en Aulide and Iphigénie en Tauride, for an international audience or French speakers?

Both! The Grand Théâtre de Provence has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for 30 years. These opera performances are sung in their original French versions, and surtitles in both French and English are provided for all audiences to appreciate in one of France’s most iconic venues.

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

At the Grand Théâtre de Provence, there are a maximum of four categories available, each of which provide a comfortable view of the surtitles. The surtitles are projected above and on the sides of the stage.

Subtitles or “surtitles”?

Surtitles (also called supertitles) are the theatre equivalent of subtitles. That’s because in French “sur” means “above”. At Grand Théâtre de Provence, the text is projected both on the sides of the auditorium, and centrally directly above the stage.

Is there a dress code at the Grand Théâtre de Provence?

There is no specific dress code at Grand Théâtre de Provence, but proper attire is appreciated.

Is there a coat check available at the Grand Théâtre de Provence?

At the Grand Théâtre de Provence, please note that you will NOT be able to leave your personal belongings in the cloakroom. In accordance with the Vigipirate plan, security measures around Festival d'Aix-en-Provence performances have been reinforced. Bags will be searched and screened at the entrance to the performance venue. Suitcases, backpacks, and bulky luggage will NOT be accepted inside the venues. All bottles such as sun cream, mosquito repellent, and deodorant will also be prohibited inside the venues.

Is tipping customary at the Grand Théâtre de Provence in Paris?

At the Grand Théâtre de Provence, ushers do accept tips, but it's not common.

If I'm late, will I still be allowed into the show?

In the event of a delay, spectators will be allowed entrance to the theatre, but seating in the purchased category is not guaranteed.

I bought tickets for Iphigénie en Aulide and Iphigénie en Tauride 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 Festival d'Aix-en-Provence 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 Festival d'Aix. Once the reservation is confirmed, you will receive your ticket by email.
Due to the large number of requests that the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence 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.

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.