Rudolf Nureyev's Romeo and Juliet - Opéra Bastille

Location

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

Duration

3 h 05 min

With intermission

Details

Ballet

For all audiences

No dialogue

Highlights: Romeo and Juliet

Created in 1984 at the Paris Opera, Romeo and Juliet by Rudolf Nureyev, set to the vibrant music of Sergei Prokofiev, has become a landmark of classical ballet. This powerful, dramatic and deeply theatrical version has returned regularly to the stage of the Paris Opera since its premiere, as it embodies a complete, demanding and heartrending work. It returns once again to the Opéra Bastille from 2 April to 12 May 2026, to the great delight of dance enthusiasts and admirers of Nureyev, already thrilled at the prospect of seeing this masterpiece once more.

Based on the 52 numbers of the complete score, Nureyev’s choreography blends theatrical realism with historical precision. The confrontations between Capulet and Montague take on the form of violent and chaotic street brawls. The death of Mercutio—pretending to be wounded before succumbing amid the laughter of his friends—is bitterly ironic. Tybalt’s death triggers a heart-rending scene in which Juliet, stunned, realises that Romeo, whom she has just secretly married, is her cousin’s killer.

Death is ever-present: from the moment the curtain rises, a funeral procession crosses the stage. Ghosts, visions, symbols of fate and allegorical figures move throughout the ballet. Nureyev imbues Juliet with a rare inner depth, caught between dreamlike visions and silent rebellion, making this version unique, poignant and profoundly human.

See details for our premium option below!

Next dates

Story: Romeo and Juliette

Perhaps you’ve never read Shakespeare’s play, or you just need a little refresher! Here is a short summary. It will help you better follow Nureyev’s iconic ballet, created in 1977 in London and returning this year to the stage of the Opéra Bastille.

Romeo and Juliet tells the story of an impossible love between two young people from feuding families: the Montagues and the Capulets. In Verona, hatred between the two families is at an all time high. Romeo Montague sneaks in to the Capulet’s masked ball, unrecognisable beneath his disguise. There he falls madly in love with Juliette, unaware that she is a Capulet and therefore a bitter enemy. The love at first sight is mutual. In secret, they marry with the help of Friar Laurence.

But fate is relentless: violence sparks up again, and Romeo kills Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, to avenge the death of his friend Mercutio. Banished from the city, Romeo is forced to flee, while Juliet is promised against her will to another man, Paris. Desperate, she agrees to a risky plan: to take a potion that will make her appear dead. Unfortunately, Romeo is not informed of the ruse. Believing Juliet to be dead, he takes his own life beside her. Upon awakening, Juliet discovers Romeo’s body and stabs herself in turn.

The tragedy of these two lovers “star-crossed” moves their families, who, too late, finally choose to make peace. This intense story, full of passion, violence and fate, gives Nureyev’s ballet its full emotional power.

Premium Option and Experience at Opéra Bastille

Looking for more than a standard ticket to the show? To make your experience an unforgettable one, choose the following 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 programme, 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.

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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)

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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 Roméo et Juliette by Rudolf Nureyev, 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 ballet, Romeo and Juliet by Rudolf Nureyev, last?

The ballet, Romeo and Juliet by Rudolf Nureyev at Opéra Bastille lasts approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes, with no intermission.

Is Romeo and Juliet by Rudolf Nureyev for an international audience or French speakers?

Both! The Opéra Bastille welcomes audiences from all over the world! Dance is a universal language, therefore, the dance piece, Romeo and Juliet by Rudolf Nureyev, is accessible to anyone from any corner of the world.

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?

When purchasing tickets, choose your preferred category and you will be allocated the best available seats in that category! Our Premium tickets offer the best view of the stage and surtitles.
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 Romeo and Juliet by Rudolf Nureyev and I haven’t received them yet. Is this normal?

Yes, it’s completely normal! As the premium tickets for Romeo and Juliet by Rudolf Nureyev 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.