The Sleeping Beauty at Opéra Bastille

Choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev
Rudolf Nureyev's Sleeping Beauty at the Opéra Bastille in Paris in 2024, Ballet
Opéra Bastille

Until July 12, 2025

No dialogue
Rudolf Nureyev's Sleeping Beauty at the Opéra Bastille in Paris in 2024, Ballet
The Sleeping Beauty at Opéra Bastille
Book now From 150€/person

Location

Opéra Bastille
Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris
Capacity 2700 seats

Duration

3 h 10 min

With intermission


Details

Ballet

For all audiences

No dialogue


HIGHLIGHTS: THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

Season after season, the two stages of the Opéra de Paris treat us to shows that are as incredible as they are fascinating. This 2024/25 is no exception, as the venues prepare to introduce (or reintroduce) us to a plethora of operatic delights. This one might ring a few bells…

 

The ballet The Sleeping Beauty, presented in April and June on the stage of the Opéra Bastille, is one of those shows that leaves an indelible memory in the mind of every dance fan. A quintessentially classical ballet, The Sleeping Beauty (otherwise known under its original French moniker, La belle au bois dormant) was performed for the first time on January 15th, 1890 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, featuring a choreography by Marius Petipa and music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It is the composer's longest ballet, totalling 3 hours and 10 minutes of sensational scores and charismatic choreography. Inspired by Charles Perrault's fairy tale, it has become one of the most famous ballets in the classical repertoire.

 

Legendary dancer and choreographer Rudolf Nureyev revisited the timeless classic The Sleeping Beauty with a vision rich in detail. Created in 1989 for the Paris Opera Ballet, his version of the ballet has already captivated audiences around the world with its sophistication. Nureyev was able to retain the essence of Charles Perrault's story whilst simultaneously injecting his own interpretation, psychological nuances, and dramatic details into the work. In his choreography, every movement tells a story and every step expresses an emotion — there are no accidents in choreography; every gesture was meticulously designed to transfer meaning.

 

The sumptuous sets, designed by Ezio Frigerio, transport the audience into an enchanted world where magic reigns. Franca Squarciapino's costumes are works of art in their own right, evoking the opulence and enchantment of fairytales. A dazzling show not to be missed!

 

 

See details for our premium option below!

PREMIUM OPTION AND EXPERIENCE at Opéra Bastille

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

 

Champagne + Programme + Exclusive Access to Salon Berlioz + Show
Indulge in the premium opera experience! Elevate your evening with our exclusive package, available even after standard ticket sales have closed. With this premium option, relish a glass of champagne, receive a show program, and enjoy privileged access to the Opéra Bastille's Salon Berlioz — an intimate space reserved for our premium guests.

 

Please note, this special package is exclusively offered through the Theatre in Paris box office, thanks to our official partnership with the Friends of Paris Opera Association. Don't miss the chance to make your opera night truly exceptional.

SYNOPSIS OF THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

You may think you know the story of Sleeping Beauty — but have you seen it transposed to ballet? Through this elegant form, the story is given new life, new depth, and the audience is invited to discover a new perspective on this beloved tale. A veritable fairytale ballet, each character is portrayed with remarkable depth in this live adaptation of Charles Perrault’s classic.

 

Our heroine, Aurora, will be played by a prima ballerina and undoubtedly captivate the audience with her grace and vulnerability, while the Prince, played by a virtuoso dancer, embodies strength and determination incarnate. The ballet’s key moments, such as Aurora's bewitched sleep and the Prince's kiss that wakes her, will be moments of pure magic on the stage of the Opéra Bastille, sending shivers down the spine of every audience member. Fairytales come to life upon the storied stage of one of the world’s most revered operatic institutions.

 

Rudolf Nureyev's choreography remains an essential point of reference in the world of classical ballet, testifying to his artistic genius and his ability to bring a timeless tale to life with renewed energy and a contemporary vision.

 

Pas de quatre, pas de deux, pas de caractère, pas d'action... the world of classical ballet opens up to you on a stage that sublimely showcases it. Here is a ballet that will delight young and old alike, and will remain in the minds and hearts of spectators long after they leave the theatre.

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Opéra Bastille

Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris

History and Fun Facts about the Opéra Bastille

 

Designed by Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott, the building was commissioned by French President François Mitterrand and inaugurated in 1989. For years, many had lamented the lack of a modern venue in Paris capable of welcoming modern concerts and performances with different acoustic approaches, and the flexibility that a modulable venue lends. A movement started in the 1960s called for a larger new venue in Paris that would appeal to the masses, a modern compliment to the elaborate Palais Garnier. Just over 100 years after the inauguration of the Palais Garnier, the demands finally won over the newly-elected President Mitterrand, who supported the project as the headliner among many modern works launched during his term. Selecting the popular Bastille neighbourhood for its ease of accessibility from Paris and the surrounding areas, the old Bastille Train Station was destroyed to make way for the construction of the new venue. The building was completed just in time for the bicentenary of the French Revolution.  

 

The venue has undergone many changes in direction resulting from varying political affiliations, and has undergone major renovations since its construction to repair and to soundproof the entire structure. Unlike other auditorium designs, each and every seat at the Opéra Bastille guarantees an unrestricted view of the stage. With its white glass ceiling, crisp gray compliments, and black seating adorned with rich oak, the venue is an ode to modernity and simplistic design. From the exterior, made of blue granite from Brittany and blocks of glass, light is reflected from every corner of this angular venue.

 

Fast facts
Capacity: 2,745
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)

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opera bastille plan de salle seating chart tickets billets paris

FAQ

How do I get to Opéra Bastille in the 12th arrondissement of Paris ?

The Opéra Bastille is accessible by:
Metro: Line 1 (station Bastille), line 5 (station Bastille), line 8 (station Bastille)
RER: Line A (station Gare de Lyon)
Address: 120 rue de Lyon, 75012 Paris
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 Opéra Bastille?

We invite you to arrive 45 minutes before the beginning of The Sleeping Beauty, and present your voucher at the front desk. Opéra Bastille’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.
The concert hall’s doors close 15 minutes after the start of the performance and reopen at intermission if the performance includes one.
If you arrive within 15 minutes after the start of the performance, you will not be allowed to enter the opera house and will be directed to an area with a television where you can watch the first part of the show. You will be able to return to your seats during the intermission if the performance includes one.

How long does the ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, last?

The ballet The Sleeping Beauty at Opéra Bastille lasts approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes, with intermission.

Is The Sleeping Beauty for an international audience or French speakers?

Both! The Opéra Bastille welcomes audiences from all over the world! Dance is a universal language, therefore, the dance piece, The Sleeping Beauty, is accessible to anyone from any corner of the world.

Is there a dress code at Opéra Bastille?

There is no specific dress code at Opéra Bastille, but proper attire is appreciated. Feel free to dress to impress and reflect the fabulous contemporary architecture at Opéra Bastille!

Can I choose my seat when booking?

No, unfortunately it is not possible to choose your seat when booking for The Sleeping Beauty. However, you can choose the category and we will allocate you the best seats in the chosen 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.

 

At the Paris Opera, the seats are assigned in odd numbers or even numbers. Therefore, if your tickets are consecutive odd numbers or even numbers (For example: 1, 3, 5,...), they will be adjacent.

 

You can find the seating plan in the theatre’s "photo" section on this page.

What is included with my premium ticket at Opéra Bastille?

The Premium tickets are our most exclusive package and include seating in category Optima, the best category in the house, a programme of the show, a glass of champagne, and exclusive access to the magnificent Salon Berlioz.

 

Your programme: At the Opéra Bastille, you may pick your programme in the main shop as well as at the programme stands located at the main entrance, on the 2nd and 4th floors.
Your glass of champagne: You can choose to enjoy your glass of champagne before the performance or during intermission. Champagne will be available at public bars or in the exclusive Salon Berlioz. The Salon is located on the 1st floor, at the right of the entrance to the Opéra Bastille. It is accessible by elevator or by stairs.

I bought premium tickets for The Sleeping Beauty and I haven’t received them yet. Is this normal?

Yes, it’s completely normal! As the premium tickets for The Sleeping Beauty include exclusive add-ons, your order will first be created as a pre-booking so the Paris Opera can assign your seats and prepare your exclusive package.
You may see a pre-charge on your card but you can rest assured that we will not charge your card until the booking is validated by the Paris Opera. After the tickets are confirmed, you will receive your tickets by email.
Given the large number of requests the Paris Opera 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.