Dido and Æneas at the Royal Opera of Versailles

Directed by Cécile Roussat and Julien Lubek

Royal Opera of Versailles

Show ended

English surtitled in French

Choose your date From 57€/person

Dido and Æneas at the Royal Opera of Versailles

Book now From 57€/person

Location

Royal Opera of Versailles
4 avenue de Paris, 78000 Versailles
Capacity 750 seats

Duration

1 h 20 min

No intermission

Details

Opera

For all audiences

In English with French and English surtitles

HIGHLIGHTS: Dido and Æneas at Royal Opera of Versailles

The Royal Opera of Versailles brings you Dido and Æneas, Henry Purcell's baroque opera. Conducted by the Polish conductor Stefan Plewniak, the Opéra Royal's orchestra and chorus will bring this sublime score to life, transporting the audience into the tragic world of the Queen of Carthage.

Sonya Yoncheva in the role of Dido is sure to move audiences, brilliantly embodying the queen's torments of love and despair. Her powerful, expressive voice brings every aria to life. Sarah Charles is perfect as Belinda, Dido's devoted confidante, providing a striking contrast to the Queen's intense emotions.

Of course, we can't wait for the vocal performance of baritone Halidou Nombre as Aeneas, the Trojan hero torn between his love for Dido and his destiny. His warm voice and stage presence make Aeneas both endearing and tormented. As for Attila Varga-Tóth, he will be terrifying, bringing a touch of menace and mystery to the production. The voices of Pauline Gaillard and Yara Kasti, playing the witches, will add a supernatural dimension to the story.

Cécile Roussat and Julien Lubek's sumptuous and imaginative staging will transport you to ancient Carthage.

Dido and Æneas at the Royal Opera of Versailles is sure to be an unforgettable operatic experience. Purcell's sublime music, combined with exceptional vocal performances and an imaginative staging, will provide a unique opportunity to experience the opera for the first time.

This is a must for all opera lovers, who will be waiting for the famous aria, “When I am Laid in Earth”, before bursting into rapturous applause.

See details for our premium options below!

PREMIUM OPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES

Looking for more than a standard ticket to the show? To make your experience an unforgettable one, choose between one of the following upgraded offers at the time of booking:

Prestige Tickets: Show + Glass of Champagne + Programme
This ticket category includes a glass of champagne, a specially prepared programme of the show, as well as exclusive access to the two best categories in the house.

Prestige VIP Tickets: Show + Glass of Champagne + Programme
This ticket category includes a glass of champagne, a specially prepared programme of the show, as well as exclusive access to the best seats in the house.

STORY: Didon and Æneas at Royal Opera of Versailles

Experience all the beauty of Dido and Æneas, Henry Purcell's baroque opera, at the Royal Opera of Versailles.

This short but intense opera recounts the passionate and tragic love story between the Queen of Carthage, Dido, and the Trojan hero, Aeneas. Fleeing the destruction of Troy, Aeneas finds refuge in Carthage, where he falls madly in love with Dido. Their romance is shattered by Aeneas’ obligations to the gods, who force him to found a new Troy in Italy. Torn between love and duty, Dido, consumed by grief and rage, chooses death rather than live without Aeneas.

Henry Purcell sublimates this ancient tragedy through music of great beauty and profound emotion. Dido's arias, full of passion and despair, are masterpieces of the Baroque repertoire. The opera explores universal themes such as love, loss, duty and destiny, and offers a moving reflection on the human condition.

Dido and Æneas is an opera of great dramatic power and timeless musical beauty.

To be savoured like an excellent dish in a fine restaurant!

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Royal Opera of Versailles

4 avenue de Paris, 78000 Versailles

History and Fun Facts about the Royal Opera of Versailles

Categorized as one of the largest performance halls in Europe during its inauguration in 1770 requested by Louis XV, it is presently still admired as one of the grand luxurious stages in Paris due to its lavishing décor composed of early-century design. The ceiling above the room comprises an exquisite form of art, something similar to what you would see in the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

Opéra Royal was no ordinary room, it was prestigious among wealthy individuals who fancied theater. Hosting 1,500 people, only a specific number of guests were invited to view the best shows in Paris at the esteemed Versailles palace. Later, the room was also used as a ballroom and a banquet hall.

After the revolution, the Opéra Royal room was left whole but stripped of its 18th-century embellishment. Altering its original appearance, the room is renovated for official shows such as the opening of the Versailles museum in 1837. Renovated and inaugurated once again in 1957 after the Second World War by orders of architect André Japy, the room undertook a whole new look. In 2009 Opéra Royal opened its doors to spectators from all over the world and began to display an array of enlightened shows such as contemporary dance, ballet recitals, opera, and classical music concerts. Presently it offers more than 100 performances per season in its golden room occupied with ostentatious chandeliers, surrounded by red velvet seating.

Fast facts
Capacity: 750
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Air conditioning: No
Heating: Yes
Coat Check: Yes (free service)

plan d'acces, access map, opera royal de versailles

FAQ

How do I get to the Royal Opera of Versailles?

The Royal Opera of Versailles is accessible by:
RER: Line C (station Versailles Château Rive Gauche), from this station, the castle is a 10-minute walk.
Transilien: Line N (station Versailles Chantiers), line U (station Versailles Chantiers), line L (station Versailles Rive Droite), from this station, the castle is a 25-minute walk.
Address: Place d’Armes, 78000 Paris
You can find a map to guide you to the the Royal Opera’s ticket office in the theatre’s "photo" section on this page.
In case of difficulty, our hotline can be reached during our business hours. Please see the footer of this page for our contact details.

What do I do when I get to the Royal Opera of Versailles?

The Royal Opera of Versailles is located within the Château de Versailles. To get there, follow the signs for Entrance B at the top right of the Cour d'Honneur.
We invite you to arrive 20 minutes before the beginning of Dido and Æneas, and present your voucher at the front desk. The Royal Opera of Versailles’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.

How long does the opera, Dido and Æneas, last?

The opera Dido and Æneas at the Royal Opera of Versailles lasts approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, with no intermission.

Is Dido and Æneas for an international audience or French speakers?

Both! The Royal Opera of Versailles has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for many years. The opera, Dido and Æneas, is sung in its original English version. Surtitles are provided in both French and English so that international audiences can appreciate this opera in this incredible Parisian venue.

Where will I be seated, and will I see the surtitles* properly?

At the Royal Opera of Versailles, the surtitles are projected on both on the sides of the stage and directly above the stage.
*Surtitles (also called supertitles) are the theatre equivalent of subtitles. Funfact: In French “sur” means “above”.

Is there a dress code at the Royal Opera of Versailles?

There is no specific dress code at the Royal Opera of Versailles, but proper attire is appreciated. Many Parisians will arrive directly from work, dressed in business casual or chic attire.

For Parisian operas and ballets, the dress code tends to be a bit fancier than in other venues, so feel free to have a little fun and dress to impress.

Can I choose my seat when booking?

When purchasing tickets, choose your preferred category and you will be allocated the best available seats in that category!
Please note that tickets of the same category that are booked during the same purchase session, in the same booking order on our website are always assigned side by side. To be sure of this, make sure all of your tickets are in the same category and are included in your shopping cart at the time of purchase.
If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.

I bought tickets for Dido and Æneas and I haven’t received them yet. Is this normal?

Yes, it’s completely normal! Your order will first be created as a pre-booking so that the Royal Opera of Versailles can assign your seat. You may see a pre-payment on your card, but rest assured that we will not charge your card until your reservation has been validated by the Royal Opera of Versailles. Once the reservation is confirmed, you will receive your ticket by email.
Due to the large number of requests that the Royal Opera of Versailles has to manage, this process usually takes two business days, but can take up to six days maximum. After six days if your order has not been validated, it will be cancelled, the pre-charge will disappear, and you will not be charged.