Possibly mythology’s most unfathomable character: Medea, the sorceress, betrayed by her husband Jason, takes revenge by offering the latter’s lover a poisoned dress and then killing her own children. Such a destiny, so often portrayed in the arts, could not but be embodied at the Opera. In 1693, Marc-Antoine Charpentier premiered his only “tragédie lyrique”, based on a libretto by Thomas Corneille, at the Académie royale de Musique – forerunner of the Paris Opera – in the presence of Louis XIV. Three centuries after its creation, this baroque score of great orchestral wealth returns for the first time to the stage of the Paris Opera, under the baton of William Christie. Renowned for his exceptionally articulate interpretations, director David McVicar transposes the action to the Second World War, thus reinforcing the heroine’s tragic character. Les Arts Florissants Choir and Orchestra

Medea: Princess of Colchis, sorceress Jason: Prince of Thessaly, Argonaut, father of Medea’s children Creusa: Princess of Corinth and Creon’s daughter whom Jason intends to marry Orontes: Prince of Argos to whom Creon has promised his daughter Creon: King of Corinth and Creusa’s father Nerina: Medea’s confidante Cleonis: Creusa’s confidante Arcas: Jason’s confidant

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fr / en

Médée

23-24

Possibly mythology’s most unfathomable character: Medea, the sorceress, betrayed by her husband Jason, takes revenge by offering the latter’s lover a poisoned dress and then killing her own children. Such a destiny, so often portrayed in the arts, co

Marc-Antoine Charpentier

How to choose between love for an enemy general and love for one’s homeland? Such is the dilemma faced by Aida, an Ethiopian princess enslaved in Egypt, who also has to contend with the rivalry of Amneris, the Pharaoh’s daughter, who loves the same man as her, Radames. Yet it is proud Amneris who begs the priests to pardon Radames after he unwittingly betrays a military secret. In this work, first performed in 1871 at the Cairo Opera, Giuseppe Verdi alternates epic scenes such as the famous triumphal march with more intimate arias such as “Celeste Aida”. While the context of the work’s creation owes much to the Egyptomania in vogue in the 19th century, the themes of Aida are as timeless as they are universal. This is reflected in the staging by Iranian visual artist Shirin Neshat, who, making her Paris Opera debut, emphasises the cruelty of religious fanaticism, so swift to oppress women.Live: First part 95 min / Intermission 30 min / Second part 75 minProduction created at the Salzburg Festival, revived in co-production with the Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona

Aida: Ethiopian slave, in reality the King of Ethiopia’s daughter Radamès: Captain of the Egyptian army, in love with Aida Amneris: Daughter of the King of Egypt Amonasro: King of Ethiopia and father of Aida Ramfis: Egyptian high priest The King: King of Egypt

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Aida

25-26

How to choose between love for an enemy general and love for one’s homeland? Such is the dilemma faced by Aida, an Ethiopian princess enslaved in Egypt, who also has to contend with the rivalry of Amneris, the Pharaoh’s daughter, who loves the same m

Giuseppe Verdi

Willy is a tailor at Bastille, teaching his intern Julius how to sew a jacket.Today, Laure is away from the Opera, teaching millinery at a high school—she will select her future interns from among her students. Meanwhile, Luis, a baritone from the academy, is in the middle of a rehearsal in the amphitheater.At Garnier, Marion conducts the final fittings for the costumes of her show, while the “Tous à l’Opéra” event allows the general public to discover the palace’s behind-the-scenes areas. Luis is getting ready—tonight he will perform on the grand stage of the Opéra Garnier in LES BRIGANDS. Director: Jean-Luc PerréardThis documentary is supported by Lexus, Official Car of the Paris National Opera, the Orange Foundation, patron of the Opera’s audiovisual broadcasts, and the POP Circle, patron of the Paris National Opera’s audiovisual and digital projects.

Dans les couloirs de l'Opéra - 3/7

Behind the Scenes of the Opera

Behind the Scenes of the Opera - 3/7

Willy is a tailor at Bastille, teaching his intern Julius how to sew a jacket. Today, Laure is away from the Opera, teaching millinery at a high school—she will select her future interns from among her students. Meanwhile, Luis, a baritone from the a

Episode 3 – We Do Things So They Play…

[Press Preview] Behind the scenes at the Opera 3/7

Elisa gets lost in the corridors of Bastille—it’s her first day as an intern with Laure in the millinery workshop. Gregory, the ballet master, begins working on Hofesh Shechter’s new contemporary creation, RED CARPET.On level -6, we find Michel, who takes care of the floor where sets are assembled before being brought up to the stage. In the workshops, Jean-Philippe, who designs the technical plans for the sets, goes to check that everything is running smoothly in the sculpture workshop.Meanwhile, on stage, Coline, the stage manager, is preparing for the performance of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE. Director: Jean-Luc PerréardThis documentary is supported by Lexus, Official Car of the Paris National Opera, the Orange Foundation, patron of the Opera’s audiovisual broadcasts, and the POP Circle, patron of the Paris National Opera’s audiovisual and digital projects.

Dans les couloirs de l'Opéra - 4/7

Behind the Scenes of the Opera - 4/7

Elisa gets lost in the corridors of Bastille—it’s her first day as an intern with Laure in the millinery workshop. Gregory, the ballet master, begins working on Hofesh Shechter’s new contemporary creation, RED CARPET. On level -6, we find Michel, who

Episode 4 – The Details Make the Difference

Behind the scenes at the Opera 4/7

Frederick Wiseman, a pioneer of documentary filmmaking, set up his camera for twelve weeks in 2007 at the heart of the Paris Opera. From sewing workshops to public performances, his film takes us behind the scenes at the Opera and shows the work of all those who bring these exceptional shows to life on a daily basis.This excerpt shows the costume workshops at the Paris Opera.We do not have the entire documentary. Credits: Zipporah Films - 2009

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La Danse, le Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris (extrait1/3)

Frederick Wiseman, a pioneer of documentary filmmaking, set up his camera for twelve weeks in 2007 at the heart of the Paris Opera. From sewing workshops to public performances, his film takes us behind the scenes at the Opera and shows the work of a

Frederick Wiseman

La Danse, le Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris (extrait 1/3)

Frederick Wiseman, a pioneer of documentary filmmaking, set up his camera for twelve weeks in 2007 at the heart of the Paris Opera. From sewing workshops to public performances, his film takes us behind the scenes at the Opera and shows the work of all those who bring these exceptional shows to life on a daily basis.This excerpt features Laetitia Pujol and Nicolas Leriche, former stars, in The Nutcracker.We do not have the entire documentary.Credits: Zipporah Films - 2009

La Danse, le Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris (extrait 2/3)

Frederick Wiseman, a pioneer of documentary filmmaking, set up his camera for twelve weeks in 2007 at the heart of the Paris Opera. From sewing workshops to public performances, his film takes us behind the scenes at the Opera and shows the work of all those who bring these exceptional shows to life on a daily basis.This excerpt shows a rehearsal in the dance studio. The entire documentary is not available.Credits: Zipporah Films - 2009