The Queen of Spades - Opéra Bastille

Location

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

Duration

3 hours 25 minutes
With intermissions

Details

Opera
Recommended for all ages
In Russian with French and English surtitles

Highlights: The Queen of Spades

Director Lev Dodin explores one of the greatest operas in the Russian repertoire: Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades. Adapted from the novel by Alexander Pushkin, the opera immerses us in a psychiatric hospital where our heros sing their madness accompanied by the Paris Opera Orchestra.

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 Berlioz. See below for more details.

Story: The Queen of Spades

Countess Anna Fedotovna, nicknamed The Queen of Spades, keeps in secret a combination of three cards that will make anyone infallibly win at a card game. When Hermann, a young officer, hears this story, he becomes obsessed with the game and wants to know the magic combination at all costs. The young woman with whom Hermann is in love is none other than Lisa, the Countess's lady-in-waiting. By using Lisa’s key, Hermann sneaks into Anna’s room in order to find out her secret combination. Anna dies of fright when she sees the young officer. The ghost of the Countess begins to haunt Hermann who seems now to hear the secret combination, on which he will bet everything... even his life.
Brandon Jovanovich and Violeta Urmana alongside with the Paris Opera Orchestra and Choir will bring Tchaikovsky's melodies to life on the glorious stage of the Opera Bastille.

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.

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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 the Opéra Bastille?

The Opéra Bastille is accessible by the metro station Bastille (Lines 1, 5, and 8). 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 venue?

We invite you to arrive 30 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 Opera Bastille 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 Opera. Travel bags and suitcases are not allowed.

Can I take photos of the performance?

In order not to disturb the artists on stage, and for the comfort of other guests, you are not allowed 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 venue to remember your night out!

Is it a show for travellers or French people?

Both! The Opera Bastille has been welcoming audiences from all over the world for close to 150 years. This opera will be performed in Russian with English and French surtitles.

Is there a dress code?

There is no particular dress code. However, we do request that you dress suitably. On gala evenings, a dark suit is suggested for gentlemen and a dress for ladies.

Is tipping customary?

Tips are not mandatory in Parisian theatres. However, ushers will usually expect a small tip of between 2€ and 5€, which you can give them when they've shown you to your seat. Fun fact: the French word for “tip” is “pourboire,” which literally translates to “to have a drink.”