Opéra Palais Garnier
Place de l’Opéra 75009 Paris
Capacity 1900 seats
The Satin Slipper
Opéra Palais Garnier
Until June 13, 2021
French with English & French subtitles
Location
Duration
6 hours 30 minutes
With 2 intermissions
Details
Opera
Recommended for all ages
In French with French and English surtitles
Highlights
This new opera is one of the three premieres which the Opéra national de Paris composed as part of the French literature cycle. The composer Marc-André Dalbavie transforms the drama of Paul Claudel to opera. He explores diffraction and sound capabilities by creating performance which is just as impressive as the original work of Claudel.
This incredible love story will be directed by Stanislas Nordey, whose achievements in theater and opera have already been recognized all over the world!
To make your experience an unforgettable one, you will be able to choose from a selection of unique add-ons upon booking, such as a private cocktail, or a glass of champagne and exclusive access to the Salon Berlioz. See below for more details.
Story
The young Don Rodrigue de Manacor comes to the coasts of Africa and sees Doña Prouhèze, the wife of Don Pélage. They immediately fall in love. However, Rodrigue is forced to join the New Continent. Dona Prouhèze sets out to follow but she must give up her love when the king forces her to rule the citadel of Mogador. She send a last letter to Don Rodrigue who, crossing seas and continents for 10 years, is looking for ways to manifest their love for eternity.
Paul Claudel's drama is titled "The Worst is Never Sure", the plot alternates between comic and joy, irony and buffoonery, as well as the exterior imperative and the aspiration to the universal.
The greatest soloists such as Luca Pisaroni, Eve-Maud Hubeaux and Marc Labonnette will bring the opera to life for its world premiere at the Palais Garnier. This opera also marks the last performance of the French tenor Yann Beuron, who has become a staple in the lyrical landscape.
Add-Ons & Special Experiences
Looking for more than a standard ticket to the show? To make your experience an unforgettable one, you will be able to choose one of the following upgrated offers at the time of booking:
Private Dinner Cocktail + Champagne + Programme + Show (6 pers. minimum)
This package includes an exclusive private lounge, an assortment of 25 appetisers per person, champagne, wines and soft drinks.
Private Cocktail + Champagne + Programme + Show (6 pers. minimum)
This package includes an exclusive private lounge, an assortment of 10 appetisers per person, champagne and soft drinks.
Champagne + Programme + Exclusive Access to Salon Berlioz + Show
This package is available even after standard sales for the opera are closed. It includes a glass of champagne, a show programme, and exclusive access to the Opéra Garnier's beautiful Salon Liebermann, reserved for primary ticket holders. A result of our official partnership with the Friends of Paris Opera Association, the package can only be purchased via the Theatre in Paris box office.
Health Pass Information
From June 15th, 2021, the Opera the Paris is requiring a health path for all audience members from the age of 11 (included).
We invite you to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the performance, as pass verification is likely to slightly increase access time to venues.
Spectators living in France:
The health pass is in the form of a QR Code, to be imported into the French ‘TousAntiCovid’ mobile application (with the function « scan the QR Code »), or printed from the Ameli.fr French Social Security website.
Access to performances will be authorised if the pass certifies:
- - either complete vaccination
- - or a negative PCR or Antigen test less than 48 hours old,
- - or a positive RT-PCR or antigenic test result confirming recovery from Covid, at least 15 days old and less than six months old.
For more information, you can also visit the French government website: https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus/pass-sanitaire
Spectators living outside of France:
You are requested to carry an official health document, pending the implementation of a European system.
Reviews
Opéra Palais Garnier
Place de l’Opéra 75009 Paris
One of the most prestigious stages in all of France, the Palais Garnier was constructed from 1860 to 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 a 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 movment of large numbers of people; complete with a grand marbled 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 accomodate 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 audotorium in the copula dome was once used strictly for cleaning the chandelier, but has since been transformed into a space for opera and dance rehersals.
The legendary building was initially deemed the Academie Imperiale 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 Hausmann 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.
FAQ
Does the venue have a specific dress code?
For Parisian operas and ballets, the dress tends to be a bit fancier than in other venues, so feel free to have a little fun and dress to impress. Many Parisians will arrive directly from work, dressed in casual chic attire. Generally, elegant casual wear is required, jackets are recommended for men. Shorts, Bermuda shorts, flip-flops, sportswear and trainers are discouraged.
How do I get to the Opéra Garnier?
The theatre is accessible by the metro station Opéra (Lines 3, 7, 8 and RER A). Our hotline can be reached in case of difficulty finding the theatre weekdays from 10 am to 7pm Paris time. For details, we invite you to consult the map above.
What do I do when I get to the theatre?
We invite you to arrive 20 minutes before the beginning of the show, 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 Palais Garnier begin precisely on time, and all late arrivals will not be permitted to enter the auditorium until intermission.
How long does the show last?
The show lasts six hours and thirty minutes, including two intermissions.
Is it a show for travellers or French people?
Both! The Palais Garnier has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for close to 150 years. This legendary opera performance is sung in its original Italian, and subtitles in both French and English are provided for audiences to appreciate in one of France’s most iconic venues.
Is there a coat check available?
Free cloakrooms are available on various floors of the theatre. Travel bags and suitcase are not allowed.
Can I take photos of the performance?
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 the show. As long as the performance is not currently in session, feel free to take a snapshot of the wonderful venue to remember your night out!