The Opéra National de Paris will present “Richard Wagner: Les Révolutions du Ring,” an exhibition tracing the history and influence of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle, at the Palais Garnier from Oct. 27, 2026 through Feb. 20, 2027. The exhibition, organized in partnership with the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, coincides with the company’s new production of “Der Ring des Nibelungen” at the {…}
(Photo: © Bernd Uhlig) The Opéra national de Paris will present free outdoor screenings of two Puccini operas as part of its annual Opéra d’été series. Claus Guth’s production of “La Bohème,” conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and featuring Nicole Car as Mimì, Aida Garifullina as Musetta, and Atalla Ayan as Rodolfo, opens the opera screenings in France at the Centre {…}
The Opéra National de Paris is in the midst of a revival of Robert Carson’s incredible production of “Rusalka.” Coming-of-Age The production itself is minimalist in its set design. The opening scene features a mirror effect with a bed hanging over the stage. On ground level, there’s a central pool and we see four figures asleep alongside it. Sleep becomes {…}
(Credit: © Benoîte Fanton) “Carmen” is just about the last opera one would think of as homoerotic, yet this is the vibe of this Paris production; it’s haunted by the male body as object of desire. Other adjectives used to describe it would be bleak, vulgar, obscene, violent and most of all angry. Judging from the costumes, Calixto Bieito’s staging {…}
The etymology of the Italian word “maschera” (and its English equivalent “mask”) is rather obscure. It’s derived from the Arabic word “maskara,” meaning buffoonery and/or harsh derision. Indeed, a closer look at “Un ballo in maschera” reveals a higher degree of caustic bite far beyond the final act’s famous masked ball. Amelia seeks help from the soothsayer Ulrica to rid {…}
(Credit: © Vincent Lappartient) The Opéra National de Paris will present its annual Académie Gala at the Palais Garnier on Jan. 20, 2026. The program features artists-in-residence of the Académie performing with the Orchestre de l’Opéra National de Paris under the direction of Stephanie Childress and staging by Pascal Neyron. The program includes Augusta Holmès’s “La Nuit et l’Amour” and {…}
(Credit: Bernd Uhlig) “Aida,” as we know, was supposed to be Giuseppe Verdi’s last opera. At least, he thought so. Along with his powerful “Requiem,” and all its operatic overtones, his very final work to come, the moving and gentle “Quattro Pezzi Sacri” – “Aida” was supposedly the prolific master’s operatic swan song. But, well, that is certainly not what {…}
The Opéra National de Paris has announced a new renovation project, titled “Nouvelle Ère, Nouvel Air.” The announcement was made by Alexander Neef, the General Director of the opera company, and Rachida DATI, the minister of Culture of France. The renovation will include the modernization of equipment, the improvement of work and public spaces, and to improve the theater’s interaction {…}
Director of the Opéra National de Paris, Alexander Neef has been awarded the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, the highest French honorary decoration. Throughout his career, Neef has held positions with the Salzburg Festival, Santa Fe Opera, Canadian Opera Company, and now serves as Director of the Opéra National de Paris. While at the Canadian Opera Company, he developed {…}
(Photo by Vincent Lapportient) The Academy of the Opéra National de Paris will present a series of concerts in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Curitiba. First up is a recital of French and Brazilian melodies featuring Sima Ouahman, Juliana Kreling, Lorena Piers, Amandine Portelli, Bergsvein Toverud, and Luis Felipe Sousa. Ramon Theobald accompanies the singers. The first performance takes {…}
Morgan Jourdain has been appointed to the position of chorus master of the Opéra National de Paris’ new youth choral training program. Starting on Sept. 1, 2026, Jourdain will be charged with recruiting young singers to be a part of the choir, which will commence in September 2026, alongside the organization’s recently announced youth choral training program. He will then {…}