Iphigénie en Tauride - Opéra Palais Garnier

Location

Opéra Palais Garnier
Place de l’Opéra 75009 Paris
Capacity 1900 seats

Duration

2 hours and 20 minutes

1 intermission

Details

Opera

Recommended for all ages

In French with English & French subtitles

Highlights: Iphigénie en Tauride

Met with standing ovations numerous times at the Paris Opera, Krzysztof Warlikowski’s modern staging of the opera by Christoph Willibald Gluck makes a triumphant return to the Opera Garnier. In this bold reimagining, Gluck’s tragic protagonists find themselves transported to a new and sombre setting: a nursing home where they are haunted by the memory of their pasts. A dazzling manipulation of mirrors and screens serves to heighten the opera’s dramatic and psychological dimension. So sit back and enjoy Gluck’s scintillating score, not least the famous arias “Grands Dieux! Soyez-nous secourables” and “Ô malheureuse Iphigénie”.

To make your experience an unforgettable one, you will be able to choose from a selection of unique add-ons upon booking, such as a private cocktail, or a glass of champagne and exclusive access to the Salon Liebermann. See below for more details.

Story: Iphigénie en Tauride

Based on the tragedy by Greek dramatist Euripides, Gluck’s story unfolds in the aftermath of the Trojan War. Iphigénie is a priestess in Tauris, under the rule of Thoas, King of Scythia. Tormented by a vision and desperate to save himself from danger, the King orders Iphigénie to kill any strangers that land on Scythia’s shores. But, unbeknownst to Iphigénie, her brother Orestes and his friend Pylades are the first to be shipwrecked on the peninsula. The priestess had believed her brother dead and responsible for the death of their mother. The siblings fail to recognise each other but Iphigénie takes pity on the ill-fated stranger and decides to save him from the sacrifice that only she knows awaits him. To do so she must make a choice between her duties as priestess and her loyalty to her family.

Discover a show that is as gripping as it is tragic: told through the voices of the great soloists Nicole Chevalier, Jacques Imbrailo and Julien Behr, and accompanied by the chorus and orchestra of the Opéra national de Paris.

Add-Ons & Special Experiences

Looking for more than a standard ticket to the show? To make your experience an unforgettable one, you will be able to choose one of the following upgrated offers at the time of booking:

Private Dinner Cocktail + Champagne + Programme + Show (6 pers. minimum)

This package includes an exclusive private lounge, an assortment of 25 appetisers per person, champagne, wines and soft drinks.

Private Cocktail + Champagne + Programme + Show (6 pers. minimum)

This package includes an exclusive private lounge, an assortment of 10 appetisers per person, champagne and soft drinks.

Champagne + Programme + Exclusive Access to Salon Berlioz + Show

This package is available even after standard sales for the opera are closed. It includes a glass of champagne, a show programme, and exclusive access to the Opéra Bastille's beautiful Salon Berlioz, reserved for primary ticket holders. A result of our official partnership with the Friends of Paris Opera Association, the package can only be purchased via the Theatre in Paris box office.

Covid-19 Information

Specific measures and obligations may apply to this show. Before making your reservation, please check the updated information on our Covid-19 page: https://www.theatreinparis.com/en/page/covid-19

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Opéra Palais Garnier

Place de l’Opéra 75009 Paris

History and Fun Facts about the Opéra Palais Garnier

One of the most prestigious stages in all of France, the Palais Garnier was constructed between 1860 and 1875, designed by legendary architect Charles Garnier, who was selected among a handful of talented architects in a fierce design competition. The building itself is considered an artful masterpiece, and was one of the most expensive construction projects to come from the Second French Empire under the reign of Napoléon III. The elaborate use of different materials to lend a lavish multicolored facade was typical of many of the works under the rule of Napoléon III, and features sculptures of various figures of Greek mythology. The official inauguration in 1875 was attended by the Mayor of London and Amsterdam, the King Alphonso XII of Spain, and hundreds of members from European high society.

The interior was meticulously designed with intertwining corridors, alcoves and landings to allow for easy movement of large numbers of people; complete with a grand marble staircase and the grand foyer, acting as the drawing room for all of Paris high society and covered in gilded paintings. The auditorium itself is in a traditional Italian horseshoe shape, seating 1900. The stage is the largest in Europe and can accommodate 450 artists, revealed by the opening of the legendary painted curtain. Garnier himself designed the 7-tonne chandelier sparkling above the audience. In 1896, one of the many chandelier counterweights broke free and killed a concierge, the incident that inspired the scenes in the 1910 novel-turned-musical The Phantom of the Opera. The space above the auditorium in the copula dome was once used strictly for cleaning the chandelier, but has since been transformed into a space for opera and dance rehearsals.

The legendary building was initially deemed the Academie Impériale de Musique, yet with the fall of the Second Empire and the start of the Third Republic, this was aptly changed for the Academie Nationale de Musique, which we see written across the exterior facade to this day. Garnier envisioned his design and the transformation of the surrounding area, and to this day the opulence of the Second Empire lives on in this living monument. The avenue de l'Opéra remains the only large Parisian corridor without trees, as Garnier explicitly prevented Haussmann from adorning the street with trees, arguing that his Palais Garnier was to be the main focus. Palais Garnier became the official name in 1989 with the construction of the Opéra Bastille, and the venue now houses primarily ballets.

Fast facts
Capacity: 1,979
Handicap Accessible: Yes – in order to guarantee access to specific locations, we ask that you make your reservation at least 15 days before the performance.
Air conditioning: Yes
Heating: Yes
Coat Check: Yes (free service)

opera palais paris view ©Christian Leiber / OnP

palais garnier ©Jean-Pierre Delagarde OnP

opera palais garnier plan de salle seating chart tickets billets paris

FAQ

Where will I be seated and will I see the subtitles clearly?

There are a maximum of four categories available, each of which provides a comfortable view of the subtitles. The subtitles are projected above and on the sides of the stage of the Opéra Bastille.

How do I get to the Opéra Palais Garnier?

The theatre is accessible by the metro station Opéra (Lines 3, 7, 8 and RER A). Our hotline can be reached in case of difficulty finding the theatre weekdays from 10 am to 7pm Paris time. For details, we invite you to consult the map above.

What do I do when I get to the theatre?

We invite you to arrive 20 minutes before the beginning of the show, and present your voucher at the front desk. The theatre's English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats. Please note that the performances at the Palais Garnier begin precisely on time, and all late arrivals will not be permitted to enter the auditorium until intermission.

Is there a coat check available?

Free cloakrooms are available on various floors of the theatre. Travel bags and suitcase are not allowed.

Does the venue have a specific dress code?

For Parisian operas and ballets, the dress tends to be a bit fancier than in other venues, so feel free to have a little fun and dress to impress. Many Parisians will arrive directly from work, dressed in casual chic attire. Generally, elegant casual wear is required, jackets are recommended for men. Shorts, Bermuda shorts, flip-flops, sportswear and trainers are discouraged.

How long does the show last?

The opera Iphigénie en Tauride lasts 2 hours and 20 minutes including one intermission.

Can I take photos during the performance?

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 the show. As long as the performance is not currently in session, feel free to take a snapshot of the wonderful Opéra Palais Garnier to remember your night out!