Armide by Lully at Opéra Comique

Location

Opéra Comique
Place Boieldieu - 75002 Paris
Capacity 1200 seats

Duration

3 hours

With intermission

Details

Opera

For all audiences

In French with English and French surtitles

Highlights: Armide by Lully at Opéra Comique

Following the immense success of Gluck's Armide last season, the Opéra Comique is now offering Lully's own rendition of Armide: the last tragedy written by the late and great librettist Phillipe Quinault, as performed in five acts and a prologue and set to the immaculate score of Jean-Baptiste Lully. Composed in 1686, Armide is considered one of the French Baroque repertoire’s most precious gems. If you are interested in acquainting yourself with the profound pleasures of French-style opera, head for the very venue in which some of history’s greatest operas were born – the Opéra Comique. A venue little-known to tourists, but regarded with appropriate reverence by Parisians and opera lovers alike.

Embodying the title role is the French mezzo-soprano Ambroisine Bré, renowned for her exceptional talent in interpreting baroque roles. Her powerful, expressive voice will bring emotional depth to the character of Armide.
At the baton, we find the musical precision of Christophe Rousset, who leads his Ensemble Les Talens Lyriques and the choir Les Éléments to give us a taste of the subtleties of Lully’s incredible score.

See details for our premium option below!

Premium Experience

Would you like a little more than just a ticket to the show? To make your experience unforgettable, you can choose to extend the evening with an evening concert after the opera has finished. This is given by artists from the production or the Academy on the theme of the opera being performed. It lasts approximately 50 minutes. You will have the option to include the premium add-on during the reservation process.

The evening concerts are available on the following dates:
• Friday, June 21st, 2024
• Sunday, June 23rd, 2024

Story: Armide by Lully at Opéra Comique

Hidraot, Renaud, Aronte, Ubalde, Artémidore, Sidonie, Lucinde, Phénice, Mélisse... These incredible names suit a host of colourful characters in Jean-Baptiste Lully's Armide.

The story is based on the epic poem The Liberation of Jerusalem by Torquato Tasso. A powerful sorceress, Armide, uses her magical powers to seduce and capture the Crusader knights who have set out to liberate Jerusalem. To fit this magical atmosphere, Lully's music provides an enchanting blend of lyrical melodic passages, spellbinding dances, and grandiose choruses. The orchestra will pay tribute to the authenticity of Baroque music, transporting listeners through the tumultuous passions and torments of love and magic.

The magic of opera, the magic of the Opéra Comique, and the magic of music all come together in an evening guaranteed to enchant and delight.

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Opéra Comique

Place Boieldieu - 75002 Paris

History and Fun Facts about the 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: 1200
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Air conditioning: No
Heating: Yes
Coat Check: Yes (free service)

opera comique plan de salle seating chart

FAQ

How do I get to Opéra Comique in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris?

The Opéra Comique is accessible by:
Metro lines: You can take line 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 stop, served by the lines 20, 32, 39, 29, 45, 74, and 89.
Our customer service can be reached in case of difficulty from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 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 Armide , and present your voucher at the front desk. The Opéra Comique's English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.

Can I take photos during Armide?

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 Armide. 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!

How long does Armide last?

Armide lasts approximately 3 hours, with intermission.

What does my ticket for Armide 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 performance.

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 specific dress code at the Opéra Comique ?

No, there is no specific dress code at the Opéra Comique. However, proper attire is always appreciated.

Is there a coat check available 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.

Is tipping customary at the Opéra Comique?

It is not customary to tip ushers at the Opéra Comique.

Is it a show for French-speakers or international travelers?

Both! The Opéra Comique has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for 300 years. Armide is sung in its original French version, and surtitles in both French and English are provided for audiences to appreciate this gem in one of France's most iconic venues.