Entitled Roots, this programme explores those of George Balanchine who, in Theme and Variations, created in 1947 in New York, adopted Tchaikovsky’s music to pay homage to the Russian academic tradition that nurtured him. Christopher Wheeldon, for his part, draws on the heritage of ancient Greece for his ballet Corybantic Games, making its repertoire debut at the Opera. The title refers as much to the frenzy that characterised the conducting style of Leonard Bernstein – whose music informs the piece – as it does to the Corybantes, the priests of the goddess Cybele with their martial dances. Finally, Rhapsodies enters the repertoire to George Gershwin’s score. In his piece, Cape Town-born choreographer Mthuthuzeli November evokes both urban energy and his African origins.

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RACINES - 1

RACINES - 2

2018-19-DELAG-084 - Opéra Bastille

Roots, from 6 October to 10 November 2025 at the Opéra Bastille

Entitled Roots, this programme explores those of George Balanchine who, in Theme and Variations, created in 1947 in New York, adopted Tchaikovsky’s music to pay homage to the Russian academic tradition that nurtured him.Christopher Wheeldon, for his 

George Balanchine / Mthuthuzeli‎ November / Christopher‎ Wheeldon

Roots

Poor Madame Butterfly! The 15-year-old geisha, who has renounced her family and Japanese traditions for the love of an American naval officer, finds herself abandoned in favour of a Western wife. Giacomo Puccini used this classic theme of a woman seduced and abandoned to create an opera with lush orchestration and burning lyricism. Premiered in 1904 at La Scala Milan, his score, full of oriental colours, vividly conveys the contrast between Lieutenant Pinkerton’s brutality and the vulnerability of Butterfly, who is as fragile as a butterfly’s wings. For Robert Wilson, this Japanese tragedy proves the ideal environment in which to display his signature formalism. Far from the traditional fans and cherry branches, the director uses stylised acting and a stripped-down space to allow the melodic lines to blossom in all their purity.

 Directed by François Roussillon A co-production by the Paris Opera, François Roussillon et Associés, with the participation of France Télévisions With the support of the Orange Foundation, patron of the Paris Opera's audiovisual broadcasts, and the Cercle POP, and with the assistance of the Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée This stage production is supported by AFPOB, American Friends of the Paris Opera and Ballet. International TV distribution – Telmondis Distribution © Opéra national de Paris - François Roussillon et Associés - 2024

Cio‑Cio‑San: Known as “Madama Butterfly”, a fifteen-year-old Japanese girl Suzuki: Her servant F. B. Pinkerton: A lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Sharpless: American Consul in Nagasaki Lo Zio Bonzo: Cio‑Cio‑San’s uncle Il Principe Yamadori: A rich Japanese prince Kate Pinkerton: Pinkerton’s legal American wife Goro: The marriage broker

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Madama Butterfly_trailer

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Madama Butterfly_VI

Poor Madame Butterfly! The 15-year-old geisha, who has renounced her family and Japanese traditions for the love of an American naval officer, finds herself abandoned in favour of a Western wife. Giacomo Puccini used this classic theme of a woman sed

Giacomo Puccini

Madama Butterfly

At the Paris Opera, dancer Chun Wing Lam traces his journey from Hong Kong to the stage, asking: What truly belongs to him?

In this lyrical short documentary, Chun Wing Lam reflects on identity, sacrifice, and artistry. Shot with haunting simplicity, “What Belongs to You” reveals how every gesture onstage is shaped by personal history and quiet longing.

What belongs to you Chun Wing Lam - Still 2025-07-19 234721_1.98.1

What belongs to you

At the Paris Opera, dancer Chun Wing Lam traces his journey from Hong Kong to the stage, asking: What truly belongs to him? 

 In this lyrical short documentary, Chun Wing Lam reflects on identity, sacrifice, and artistry. Shot with haunting simpli

Chun Wing Lam

In July 2024, eighteen young dancers from around the world were selected through the Paris Opera Ballet company's external entrance competition. They make up the inaugural class of the Junior Ballet, a new and ambitious company.For these artists, aged between seventeen and twenty-three, joining the Paris Opera is a dream come true and marks the beginning of a two-year journey. This documentary was made possible with the support of the Orange Foundation, sponsor of the Paris Opera’s audiovisual broadcasts, the Cercle POP, sponsors of the Paris Opera's audiovisual and digital projects, and Lexus, partner of POP’s original productions. The Junior Ballet benefits from the exceptional support of CHANEL.© Opéra national de Paris - 2025

Capture d’écran 2025-10-24 à 14.43.12

Junior Ballet: Dreaming, dancing, together

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Junior Ballet: Dreaming, dancing, together - Episode 1

In July 2024, eighteen young dancers from around the world were selected through the Paris Opera Ballet company's external entrance competition. They make up the inaugural class of the Junior Ballet, a new and ambitious company. For these artists, ag

Episode 1 - Artists Return to Work

Junior Ballet: dreaming, dancing, together - 1/4

The pace is picking up. The Junior Ballet must master a demanding repertoire in preparation for the tour scheduled for May. George Balanchine, Maurice Béjart, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, José Martinez, not to mention Noé Soulier... so many different styles and choreographies that are sometimes difficult to master.Technique, emotion, discipline, auditions: the young artists learn and progress every day. As the days go by, the group bonds around a common goal: dancing together. This documentary was made possible with the support of the Orange Foundation, sponsor of the Paris Opera’s audiovisual broadcasts, the Cercle POP, sponsors of the Paris Opera's audiovisual and digital projects, and Lexus, partner of POP’s original productions. The Junior Ballet benefits from the exceptional support of CHANEL.© Opéra national de Paris - 2025

Junior Ballet - documentaire POP rêver, danser, ensemble

Junior Ballet: Dreaming, dancing, together - Episode 2

The pace is picking up. The Junior Ballet must master a demanding repertoire in preparation for the tour scheduled for May. George Balanchine, Maurice Béjart, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, José Martinez, not to mention Noé Soulier... so many different style