Opéra Comique
Place Boieldieu - 75002 Paris
Capacity 1200 seats
Zémire and Azor
Location
Duration
1h 20min
With intermission
Details
Opera
For all audiences
In French surtiltled in French and English
Highlights: Zémire and Azor
We sometimes ask ourselves, how can we get children interested in opera? The answer is simple... by going to the Opéra Comique to see the opéra-ballet Zémire et Azor by André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry (what a name!). A story which, as its name may not suggest, is inspired by that famous tale of the 18th-century French woman of letters, Jeanne Leprince de Beaumont: Beauty and The Beast. Young and old alike will undoubtedly be enchanted by Michel Fau's whimsical staging of Zémire et Azor. It should be noted that the baton will be held by the current director of the Opéra Comique himself, Louis Langrée, and that the orchestra will play magically on period instruments- what a treat! An Opéra-ballet to discover with the whole family!
Story: Zémire and Azor
Beauty and the Beast is reimagined as Zémire and Azor on an 18th-century operatic stage, with music by Grétry, the "Molière of music" according to Berlioz... The same story but transposed to Persia, in a fairy palace and a very simple country house on the Gulf of Ormuz. The story? A lost Persian merchant finds refuge in a lost castle. He picks a rose for his daughter Zemire, but the master of the house, Azor, a repulsive creature, appears and angrily demands that the merchant hand over one of his children. The work was so successful throughout Europe that it was translated into several languages, but was then sadly forgotten. It is therefore only right that the Opéra Comique revives it today. Discover on stage the tenderness and enchantment that characterizes this beloved opera.
Reviews
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: 1,200 seats Handicap Accessible: Yes Air conditioning: No Chauffage: Yes
FAQ
How do I get to the Opéra Comique?
The Opéra Comique is accessible by:
Metro lines: You can take lines 8 and 9 to Richelieu - Drouot, line 3 to Quatre-Septembre, or the RER A to Auber.
Bus lines: You can take the bus to the Richelieu - Drouot served by lines 20, 32, 39, 29, 45, 74, and 89.
Our customer service can be reached in case of difficulty from 10 am to 7 pm, Monday to Friday. For more information, please 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 Zémire and Azor, and present your voucher at the front desk. The Opéra Comique’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.
What does my ticket 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 start of Zémire and Azor.
Is Zémire and Azor for travelers or French people?
Both! The Opéra Comique has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for 300 years. This legendary Opéra ballet performance is sung in its original French, and subtitles in both French and English are provided for audiences to appreciate in one of France’s most iconic venues.
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.
What do I do if I am late?
The doors are closed as soon as the curtain rises. Access may be refused or subject to certain conditions.
Can I take photos during Zémire et Azor?
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 Zémire and Azor. 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!
Is tipping customary at the Opéra Comique?
Ushers at the Opéra Comique do not accept tips.
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 coat room 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.