Credit: Opéra National de Paris official website

General Director of Opéra National de Paris Alexander Neef has sent a message to the audiences, saying that the Opéra National de Paris, just like every other opera house in France, has to postpone its reopening.

The postponement comes as a result of a new decision by the French government, trying to curb the rapid spread of COVID-19 in France.

“All the Opera’s artists and teams have been working over the past weeks to welcome you in optimal artistic and health-safety conditions and have been looking forward to your return. It is therefore with sadness that we announce the cancellation of all performances scheduled for the end of the year: ‘Classes en Sène,’ concerts and recitals at the Palais Garnier, ‘Carmen,’ ‘La Traviata,’ and ‘La Bayadère’ at the Opéra Bastille,” said Neef in an official statement.

“Without replacing the emotion of live performances, the Opera’s recent initiatives will allow you to keep in touch and to discover or enjoy again the opera and ballet productions that you love. Richard Wagner’s Ring, recorded a few days ago with the help of Radio France, will be broadcast in its entirety from December 26 2020 to January 1 2021 on France Musique.”

“At the close of this year 2020, which has profoundly marked our lives and shaken the world of culture and live performance, I wish you the most restful festive season possible, and look forward to seeing you in 2021, in the hope that the curtain of the Opera will rise again as soon as possible for its public,” concluded the General Director of Opéra National de Paris.