The Magic Flute at Opéra Bastille

Directed by Robert Carsen
The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at the Opéra Bastille in Paris in 2024, Opera
Opéra Bastille

Until November 23, 2024

Other languages with surtitles
The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at the Opéra Bastille in Paris in 2024, Opera
The Magic Flute at Opéra Bastille
Book now From 200€/person

Location

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

Duration

3 h 05

With intermission


Details

Opera

For all audiences

In German with French and English surtitles


HIGHLIGHTS: THE MAGIC FLUTE

Whether you’re an opera fanatic in the mood to revisit a classic, or a novice who’s looking to familiarise yourself with the greats - this is an opera you absolutely must see.

 

Mozart's ultimate work, The Magic Flute, is a fantastic tale and a veritable initiatory journey. At the heart of this opera is the quest for wisdom, symbolised by the trials endured by Tamino and Pamina, the two heroes whose story we will follow for the duration of this piece.

 

This quest, intimately linked to the search for truth and light, confronts the characters with a conflict between Good and Evil, respectively represented by Sarastro and the Queen of the Night. Sarastro embodies reason, wisdom, and light incarnate, while the Queen of the Night symbolises darkness, anger, and the megalomanic desire for power. As vice and virtue take physical form in this opera, we the spectator are asked to consider how these attributes may manifest in our own lives in decidedly more clandestine ways.

 

Alongside these excellently fleshed out protagonists and antagonists, Mozart also brilliantly shows us the difference between nature and civilisation through the characters of Papageno and Papagena whose characters embody the instinctive and natural aspect of humanity, in contrast to the social structure and hierarchy represented by Sarastro and his order.

 

In its timeless tale, The Magic Flute celebrates fraternity, unity, and tolerance, set against an incredible score imbued with great tenderness that also leaves plenty of room for humour. In his final work, Mozart’s virtuosity doesn’t wane a bit, and his music is more impactful than ever in this sensational opera.

 

The staging by American Robert Carsen will make you thrill just like the voices of Jean Teitgen as Sarastro, Pavol Breslik as Tamino, Nicola Hillebrand as Pamina, Mikhail Timoshenko as Papageno, and Aleksandra Olczyk, who will sing the terrifying aria of the Queen of the Night with its daunting high notes: “Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen.” Captivating!

 

 

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 program, 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 THE MAGIC FLUTE

In Mozart’s classic tale, Prince Tamino is commissioned by the Queen of the Night to rescue her daughter, Pamina, from the prisons of the tyrant magician, Sarastro. Guided by the Queen's three ladies, the courageous Tamino is accompanied by Papageno, a cowardly birdwatcher, and the two embark on the treacherous quest.

 

Those who are familiar with Mozart’s work will recognise this set-up as the story from The Magic Flute. If no bells are ringing for you — you’re in for a treat… Here is your opportunity to discover an opera full of finesse and vocal acrobatics.

 

Back in Mozart’s story world, Papageno is given a carillon and Tamino a magic flute — two musical instruments that will aid them on their journey. But Tamino discovers on his journey that it is not Sarastro who is the tyrant, but rather the Queen of the Night, who despises Sarastro and will stop at nothing to take revenge on him. The nature of their quest at question, Tamino and Papageno are faced with the ultimate test, and their adventure doubles as a true spiritual initiation that will lead them to the light and to love…

 

For the 2024-2025 opera season, Robert Carsen's staging of Mozart's last opera at the Opéra Bastille is elegant and refined. An opera that offers a fine reflection on life, The Magic Flute is a veritable marvel of tenderness and humour. A little gem to discover or rediscover!

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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)

opera-bastille©plan de salle
opera-bastille-©Rafal-Milach-OdP
opera-bastille-backstage-interior©patrick-tourneboeuf
opera-bastille-grande-salle--interior©patrick-tourneboeuf
opera-bastille©david-mark-pixabay-exterior

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 Magic Flute, and present your voucher at the front desk. 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, The Magic Flute, last?

The opera The Magic Flute at Opéra Bastille lasts approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes, with intermission.

Is The Magic Flute 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, The Magic Flute, is sung in its original German 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 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 Opéra Bastille!

Can I choose my seat when booking?

No, unfortunately it is not possible to choose your seat when booking for The Magic Flute. 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 The Magic Flute and I haven’t received them yet. Is this normal?

Yes, it’s completely normal! As the premium tickets for The Magic Flute 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.