Macbeth Underworld - Opéra Comique

Location

Opéra Comique
Place Boieldieu - 75002 Paris
Capacity 1200 seats

Duration

1 h 45 min

No intermission

Details

Opera

For all audiences

In English with English and French surtitles

Highlights: Macbeth Underworld

Macbeth and his wife are still alive… they are, at least, in the mind of French contemporary music composer Pascal Dusapin. Macbeth Underworld is a fascinating operatic adaptation of Shakespeare's famous tragedy. This unconventional reinterpretation will plunge you into a dark and mysterious world, wherein the characters navigate between powerful dichotomies; dream and reality, life and death.
Pascal Dusapin's compelling and subtle music creates an atmosphere that oscillates between tension and beauty. The singers' magnificent voices blend perfectly with the colourful symphony of the orchestra, creating a fascinating soundscape that is as unique as the opera’s subject. Thomas Jolly's staging of the fabled Opéra Comique is equally impressive, featuring sets and costumes that evoke the fantastic world of Shakespeare's play. The special effects add a truly striking visual dimension that completely unparalleled.

The role of Macbeth is not easy to assume. He has to be impressive, imposing, fierce… in this opera, this infamous character is done justice thanks to the stage presence of the French baritone Jean-Sébastien Bou, whose voice is powerful, embodied, and entirely fitting for this Scottish king.

Macbeth Underworld will seduce you with its bewitchingly dark and intoxicatingly sublime side, reinventing Shakespeare's classic story in a bold, unconventional way. Lovers of music, theatre, and classical culture should not miss this unforgettable production at the Opéra Comique, which has more surprises in store for us yet…!

See details for a premium add-on below!

Story: Macbeth Underworld

Macbeth Underworld, which performs at the Opéra Comique this November, is an opera by Pascal Dusapin based on Shakespeare's famous play Macbeth. Even if you haven’t read this sparkling gem of classical literature, you will surely know of the tragic tale of Macbeth: a formidable Scottish general and his duplicitious wife who, driven by vaulting ambition and an insatiable thirst for power, commit murders and descend into madness. In this contemporary creation, they are condemned to relive their past misdeeds in a subterranean world, symbolising the realm of the dead.

Pascal Dusapin's music blends modern harmonies with classical influences, creating a hair-raisingly unsettling atmosphere that perfectly reflects the darkness of the subject. This original adaptation will take you into the darkest corners of the human soul... we’re already shivering!

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, November 10th, 2023
• Sunday, November 12th, 2023

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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: 1200
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Air conditioning: No
Heating: Yes
Coat Check: Yes (free service)

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, or 14 which run until the following metro stations: Opéra, Quatre Septembre, 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, 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 invite you to arrive 45 minutes before the beginning of Macbeth Underworld, 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 Macbeth Underworld?

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 Macbeth Underworld. 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 the opera, Macbeth Underworld last?

Macbeth Underworld lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, with no intermission.

What does my ticket for Macbeth Underworld entitle me to?

With the purchase of a ticket, you can attend a presentation that will give you access to the "keys to the show" and the possibility of singing 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 Macbeth Underworld for an international audience or French speakers?

Both! The Opéra Comique has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for 300 years. Macbeth Underworld is sung in its original English version, and both English and French surtitles are provided for audiences to appreciate this show in one of France’s most iconic venues.