The Exterminating Angel

The Exterminating Angel opera bastille opera de paris
Opéra Bastille

Show ended

French surtitled in English

Location

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

Duration

2 hours

No intermission


Details

Opera

For all audiences

In English with French and English surtitles


Highlights: The Exterminating Angel

Contemporary operas. They offer the opportunity for innovative, refreshing stories that deviate from convention, and operatic interpretations like you’ve never seen them before… still not convinced? Come and discover The Exterminating Angel at the Opéra Bastille for a modern opera that is sure to convert you.

 

Its creator is none other than Thomas Adès, the brilliant British composer and conductor whose ballet show The Dante Project already triumphed last season at the Paris Opera. Conducting this piece is exceptional Venezuelan conductor, Gustavo Dudamel, who was appointed musical director of the Paris Opera in 2021. There is no doubt that he will be able to bring out the best in Thomas Adès' rich and tense score. Add sopranos Jacquelyn Stucker, Caroline Wettergreen, and the great Welsh dramatic contralto, Hilary Summers, Nicky Spence, Frédéric Antoun, and Jarrett Ott into the mix, and you have the essential ingredients for an evening rich in emotion and reflection.

 

Prepare for an exceptionally unforgettable evening, wherein the staging, voices, costumes, and lighting converge in one harmonious display. An attractive and contemporary option for you this year at the Paris Opera…why not give it a try? If not to experience a modern opera, at least come to discover a unique instrument in its orchestra. Its sound is comparable to none other: the Martenot Waves.

 

 

See details for our premium option below!

Story: The Exterminating Angel

An opera in three acts by Thomas Adès graces the stage of the Opéra Bastille…The Exterminating Angel, a production by Calixto Bieito, will transport you to a world of absurdity and incongruity, as inspired by Luis Buñuel's famous film of the same name.

 

Lucia and Edmundo are hosting a party at their home in honour of the singer Leticia Meynar. They have just returned home from a fabulous evening at the opera, and it is starting to get late. As the servants start to drop away and the sun begins to set, the guests play music, fraternise, and enjoy each other’s company. Merriment is the order of the evening - that is, until, the morning rolls around, and the crestfallen group realises that they are trapped in the dining room. Each guest grapples with the situation differently: Julio, the butler, brings in coffee, only to also find himself trapped with the party.

 

Meanwhile, Dean Russell falls seriously ill. Eventually, the guests begin to accept their macabre fate… or is there hope in sight? This veritable delirium requires three mezzo-sopranos, a counter-tenor, five tenors, six baritones, and a bass to appropriately bring this satire of high-society to life.

 

Norwegian soprano Caroline Wettergreen will perform in the role of Leticia Maynar, alongside a Scottish tenor in the role of Edmundo. This work is a journey through abject discomfort, into the irrational and the nightmarish, where dream and reality intertwine…a unique experience, both frightening and extraordinary. A modern classic that is not to be missed!

Add-On & Special Experience

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 offers 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 opulent 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.

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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)

FAQ

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

The Opéra Bastille is accessible by:
Metro lines: The Opéra Bastille is accessible by the Metro lines 1, 5, and 8, which run until the Metro station Bastille.
RER lines: The Opéra Bastille is accessible by the RER lines A and D, which run until the RER station Gare de Lyon.
Bus lines: The Opéra Bastille is accessible by the bus lines 29, 87, 91, 76, and 86, which run until the following stations: Bastille, Bastille - Faubourg Saint-Antoine.

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 Exterminating Angel, and present your voucher at the front desk. Opéra Bastille’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.

How long does the opera, The Exterminating Angel, last?

The Exterminating Angel lasts approximately 2 hours, no intermission.

Can I take photos during the performance of The Exterminating Angel?

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 Exterminating Angel. As long as the performance is not currently in session, feel free to take a snapshot of the Opéra Bastille to remember your night out!

Is The Exterminating Angel for an international audience or French speakers?

Both! The Opéra Bastille has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for 30 years. This opera performance is sung in its original English version, and surtitles in both French and English are provided for audiences to appreciate this piece in one of France’s most iconic venues.

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

At the Opéra Bastille, there are a maximum of three categories available, each of which provides a comfortable view of the surtitles. The surtitles are projected above and on the sides of the stage.

Subtitles or “surtitles”?

Surtitles (also called supertitles) are the theatre equivalent of subtitles. That’s because in French, “sur” means “above”. At the Opéra Bastille, the text is projected both on the sides of the auditorium, and centrally directly above the stage.

Does the Opéra Bastille have a specific dress code?

There is no specific dress code, 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.
Generally, elegant casual wear is required, and jackets are recommended for men. Shorts, bermuda shorts, flip-flops, sportswear and trainers are discouraged.

Is there a coat check available at the Opéra Bastille?

At the Opéra Bastille, free cloakrooms are available on various floors of the theatre. Travel bags and suitcases are not allowed.

Is tipping customary at Opéra Bastille in Paris?

At the Opéra Bastille, it is customary not to tip ushers.

If I'm late, will I still be allowed into the show?

The theatre doors are closed as soon as the curtain rises. Theatre 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 theatre 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.

What is included with my Premium ticket for The Exterminating Angel?

As the Premium tickets are our most exclusive package, these tickets include seating in category Optima or in Category 1, the best placements in the house, a programme of the show, a glass of champagne, and exclusive access to the Salon Berlioz.

If I purchased Premium tickets, where can I collect my programme and my glass of champagne?

At the Opéra Bastille, you may pick up your programme in the main shop as well as at the programme stands located at the main entrance, 2nd floor, and 4th floor.
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 first 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 Exterminating Angel and I haven’t received them yet. Is this normal?

Yes, it’s completely normal! As the Premium tickets for The Exterminating Angel include exclusive add-ons, your order will first be created as a pre-booking so that the Opéra de Paris 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 Opéra de Paris. After the tickets are validated, you will receive your tickets by email.
Given the large number of requests the Opéra de Paris has to manage, this process usually takes two days, but can take up to six days maximum. If your order has not been validated after six days, it will be cancelled, the pre-charge will disappear, and you will not be charged.

How do I know if my seats are next to each other?

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.

 

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.

 

If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.