Les Sentinelles at Opéra Comique

Libretto by Chloé Lechat, Music by Clara Olivares
les sentinelles opera comique paris
Opéra Comique

Until April 13, 2025

French surtitled in English

Location

Opéra Comique
Place Boieldieu - 75002 Paris
Capacity 1200 seats

Duration

1 h 20 min

No intermission


Details

Opera

For all audiences

In French with French and English surtitles


Highlights: Les Sentinelles

Lovers of classical and contemporary music alike can agree on one thing — there is always something for everyone to enjoy at the Opéra Comique. This marvel of architecture, steeped in historical significance, boasts an impressive programme all year long.

 

This opera season, the great time continues as the Opéra Comique offers Les Sentinelles — a beautiful new creation for all theatre and contemporary music lovers.

 

This work stands out from the crowd for its modernity and original themes. The result of a creative collaboration with librettist and director Chloé Lechat, Les Sentinelles explores the complex relationship between a mother and daughter in a constantly changing world.
Clara Olivares' richly expressive music accompanies the characters as they interrogate and explore their emotions. The show alternates between lyrical sung passages and prose moments, creating a dynamic that will enthral and captivate audiences.

 

As an added twist, the composer also uses electronic instruments and effective sound techniques to create an immersive and captivating atmosphere. An operatic score that truly redefines the genre!

 

To enhance this lyrical work, you will be delighted to discover three great female voices that work to tell the story: Anne-Catherine Gillet (soprano), Sylvie Brunet-Grupposo (mezzo-soprano), Camille Schnoor (soprano), and Noémie Fevelay-Ressiguier (actress).

 

Chloé Lechat's staging skilfully highlights the psychological dimension of the opera and plays on the contrasts between light and shadow, which lends to the drama and realism within the show.
A taste of modernity infused into a classical form, that reshapes the genre… don’t miss out!

Synopsis of Les Sentinelles

Behold, a true marriage of contrasts — a contemporary opera, performed in the heart of historic Paris, ensconced within architecture and sets from another era!

 

This season, the Opéra Comique offers you this most exquisite pleasure through the performance of the utterly unique Les Sentinelles by composer Clara Olivares.

 

The opera introduces us to Hélene, a brilliant and authoritarian mother, and her gifted yet complex daughter Salomé, a young woman seeking her place in society. As the latter encounters her coming-of-age arc, their mother-daughter relationship is marked by tensions and misunderstandings, reflecting the difficulties of communication between the generations. The arrival of a female couple upsets the family balance and forces the protagonists to confront their own contradictions.

 

Les Sentinelles stands out for its original and realistic themes, captivating music, and immersive staging. This opera is an invitation to reflect on family relationships and the place of the individual in our rapidly evolving society.

 

We invite you to enjoy 1 hour and 20 minutes of uninterrupted musical pleasure, all whilst savouring the beauty of this red and gold auditorium. A luxurious feast for the eyes and ears!

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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)

FAQ

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

The Opéra Comique is accessible by:
Metro: Line 3 (stations Opéra and Quatre Septembre), line 7 (station Opéra), line 8 (station Grands Boulevards), line 9 (station Grand Boulevard)
RER: Line A (station Auber)
Address: 1 place Boieldieu, 75002 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 Comique?

We invite you to arrive 45 minutes before the beginning of Les Sentinelles, and present your voucher at the front desk. Opéra Comique’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.

How long does the opera, Les Sentinelles, last?

The opera Les Sentinelles at Opéra Comique lasts approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, with no intermission.

Is Les Sentinelles for an international audience or French speakers?

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

Can I choose my seat when booking?

No, unfortunately it is not possible to choose your seat when booking for Les Sentinelles. 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.
You can find the seating plan in the theatre’s "photo" section on this page.
If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.

Is there a dress code at Opéra Comique?

There is no specific dress code at Opéra Comique, but proper attire is appreciated. Many Parisians will arrive directly from work, dressed in business casual or chic attire.