Ma Mère l'Oye / L'enfant et les sortilèges

Ma Mère l'Oye / L'enfant et les sortilèges opera national de paris theatre in paris
Opéra Palais Garnier

Show ended

French surtitled in English (See the page)
Ma Mère l'Oye / L'enfant et les sortilèges opera national de paris theatre in paris
Ma Mère l'Oye / L'enfant et les sortilèges
Book now From 105€/person

Location

Opéra Palais Garnier
Place de l’Opéra 75009 Paris
Capacity 1900 seats

Duration

1 h 45 min

With intermission


Details

Ballet / Opera 

For all audiences

In French with English and French surtitles


Highlights: Ma Mère l'Oye / L'enfant et les sortilèges

The prolific legacy of Maurice Ravel did not end with his famous composition, Bolero - far from it! Among other pieces, Ravel also composed the ballet, My Mother Goose, and a lyrical fantasy in two parts, The Child and the Spells, based on a libretto by Colette. This year, witness these two fantastical pieces at the sublime Palais Garnier, appropriately adorned in opulent gold and purple, for an evening of bewitching revelry.

 

The students of the Paris Opera Dance School are sure to delight with their exceptional talent as they perform the choreography of the great Martin Chaix. Then, the artists of the Paris Opera Academy will take to the stage to bring Ravel’s characters to life in The Child and the Spells, a work that expertly maneuvers from parody to moving lyricism. Featuring a creative narrative progression, this opera uses onomatopoeia to move the tale along.

 

Reputed to be a superb orchestrator, Ravel’s music is characterized by an unmatched sense of elegance and finesse. With a ballet and an opera in one evening, this soirée promises to be full of delight, fantasy, and fancy.

 

 

See details for our premium option below!

Story: Ma Mère l'Oye / L'enfant et les sortilèges

Two sparkling stories unfold an opportunity for you to experience childlike wonder once more…


Return to the wonder of childhood at the opulent Palais Garnier and step into Maurice Ravel’s dreamlike world of magic and merriment. His two masterpieces, Mother Goose and The Child and the Spells, will immerse you in the music of a genius, known for his unparalleled sense of orchestration and the elegance of his style, which combines fantastically with his incomparable sense of humour in these delightful pieces.

 

Best known as a work for piano, Mother Goose was transformed into a symphonic work and then a ballet in 1912. This masterful ode to childhood whimsy is based on a string of beloved classic stories, including the tales of Perrault, Madame Leprince de Beaumont's , and Madame d'Aulnoy's The Green Serpent.

 

In The Child and the Spells, a Chinese cup, a teapot, a grandfather clock, a cat, a dragonfly, and a host of similarly fantastical characters play alongside our unruly kid hero, who is thrust into an unfamiliar dream world. What ensues will stupefy and bewitch both child and spectator…

 

Ballet and opera beautifully coalesce and plunge us into the world of childhood, with all the intelligence, finesse, and humour of a legendary composer. The Palais Garnier certainly has some surprises in store for us!

 

 

 

 

Add-On & Premium Experience

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 offers at the time of booking:

 

Champagne + Programme + Exclusive Access to Salon Liebermann + Show

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 Palais Garnier's opulent Salon Libermann—a private space adjoining the Grand Foyer, offering breathtaking views of Place and Avenue de l'Opéra and exclusively reserved for primary ticket holders.

 

This sought-after package remains available after standard ticket sales have concluded. Secure your spot through the Theatre in Paris box office, thanks to our official partnership with the Friends of Paris Opera Association.

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Opéra Palais Garnier

Place de l’Opéra 75009 Paris

Opéra Palais Garnier


One of the most prestigious stages in all of France, the Palais Garnier was constructed between 1860 and 1875, designed by legendary architect Charles Garnier, who was selected among a handful of talented architects in a fierce design competition. The building itself is considered an artful masterpiece, and was one of the most expensive construction projects to come from the Second French Empire under the reign of Napoléon III. The elaborate use of different materials to lend a lavish multicolored facade was typical of many of the works under the rule of Napoléon III, and features sculptures of various figures of Greek mythology. The official inauguration in 1875 was attended by the Mayor of London and Amsterdam, the King Alphonso XII of Spain, and hundreds of members from European high society.

 

The interior was meticulously designed with intertwining corridors, alcoves and landings to allow for easy movement of large numbers of people; complete with a grand marble staircase and the grand foyer, acting as the drawing room for all of Paris high society and covered in gilded paintings. The auditorium itself is in a traditional Italian horseshoe shape, seating 1900. The stage is the largest in Europe and can accommodate 450 artists, revealed by the opening of the legendary painted curtain. Garnier himself designed the 7-tonne chandelier sparkling above the audience. In 1896, one of the many chandelier counterweights broke free and killed a concierge, the incident that inspired the scenes in the 1910 novel-turned-musical The Phantom of the Opera. The space above the auditorium in the copula dome was once used strictly for cleaning the chandelier, but has since been transformed into a space for opera and dance rehearsals.

 

The legendary building was initially deemed the Academie Impériale de Musique, yet with the fall of the Second Empire and the start of the Third Republic, this was aptly changed for the Academie Nationale de Musique, which we see written across the exterior facade to this day. Garnier envisioned his design and the transformation of the surrounding area, and to this day the opulence of the Second Empire lives on in this living monument. The avenue de l'Opéra remains the only large Parisian corridor without trees, as Garnier explicitly prevented Haussmann from adorning the street with trees, arguing that his Palais Garnier was to be the main focus. Palais Garnier became the official name in 1989 with the construction of the Opéra Bastille, and the venue now houses primarily ballets.

 

Fast facts
Capacity: 1,979
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)

palais garnier ©- plan de salle
paris garnier opera / OnP
opera palais paris ©E. Bauer / OnP
opera palais paris view ©Christian Leiber / OnP
palais garnier ©Jean-Pierre Delagarde OnP

FAQ

How do I get to the Opera Palais Garnier in the 9th arrondissement of Paris?

The Opéra Palais Garnier is accessible by:
Metro lines: The Opéra Palais Garnier can be reached by Metro lines 3, 7, 8, and 9, which run until the Metro stations Opéra and Chaussée d'Antin — La Fayette.
RER subway lines:The Opéra Palais Garnier is accessible by taking the RER A to the station Auber.
Bus lines: The Opéra Palais Garnier is accessible by the bus lines 21, 45, 68, which run until the station Opéra.
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 Palais Garnier?

We recommend that you arrive 45 minutes before the start of Mother Goose / The Child and the Spells, 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 Opera Palais Garnier begin precisely on time, and late arrivals will not be permitted to enter the auditorium until intermission.

How long does the performance of Mother Goose and The Child and the Spells last?

The ballet Mother Goose and the opera The Child and the Spells last 1 hour and 45 minutes, with intermission.

What is included with my Premium ticket for Mother Goose / The Child and the Spells?

As the Premium is our most exclusive package, these tickets include seating in category Optima or Category 1, the best categories in the house, a programme of the show, a glass of champagne, and exclusive access to the magnificent Salon Liebermann.

If I purchased Premium tickets, where can I collect my programme and my glass of champagne ?

At the Palais Garnier, you can collect your included show programme for Mother Goose / The Child and the Spells in the main store, at the programme stand in the entry hall, or at the programme stand at the bottom of the Grand Staircase.
You can choose to enjoy your champagne or desired beverage before the performance or during intermission at any of the public bars or in the exclusive Salon Liebermann. The Salon is located on the right-hand side of the Grand Foyer, behind the fireplace.

Is Mother Goose / The Child and the Spells for an international audience or French speakers?

Both! The Palais Garnier has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for 30 years. The first part is a ballet. It is followed by a short opera, which is sung in its original French version. Both are surtitled in French and English so that all audiences can appreciate this piece in one of France’s most iconic venues.

Where will I be seated, and will I see the surtitles for Mother Goose and The Child and the Spells properly?

There are a maximum of two categories available for Mother Goose / The Child and the Spells, each of which provides a comfortable view of the surtitles. The surtitles are projected above and on the sides of the stage of the Palais Garnier.

Is there a dress code at the Palais Garnier in Paris?

There is no specific dress code, but proper attire is appreciated. Many Parisians will arrive directly from work, dressed in business casual or chic attire.
For Parisian operas and ballets, the dress code tends to be a bit fancier than in other venues, so feel free to have a little fun and dress to impress.
Generally, elegant casual wear is required, and jackets are recommended for men. Shorts, bermuda shorts, flip-flops, sportswear and trainers are discouraged.

Is there a coat check available at the Palais Garnier?

Free cloakrooms are available on various floors of the theatre. Travel bags and suitcases are not allowed.

Is tipping customary at Palais Garnier in Paris?

At the Palais Garnier, it is not customary to tip ushers.

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

Theatre 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 theatre 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.

I bought Premium tickets for Mother Goose / The Child and the Spells and I haven’t received them yet. Is this normal?

Yes, it’s completely normal! As the Premium tickets for Mother Goose / The Child and the Spells 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 validated, you will receive your tickets by email.
Given the large number of requests the Paris Opera has to manage, this process usually takes two days, but can take up to six days maximum. If your order has not been validated after six days, 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.

 

For shows at the Palais Garnier in Paris, 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.

 

If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.