François Rougier

Gregor is an idealist who wants to develop the uses of electricity in a revolutionary way. While he himself is not interested in profit, he is surrounded by shameless industrialists who steal and exploit his inventions. Adored and ultimately mistreated by his fellow man, the philanthropic genius will only find solace in the company of birds. Inspired by the life story of engineer Nikola Tesla as fictionalised by novelist Jean Echenoz, the third opera by composer Philippe Hersant lights up Opéra Comique. Conducting the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and the Chœur Aedès, Ariane Matiakh draws out the poetry from this scientific adventure alongside director Clément Hervieu-Léger.

Destinée à opposer aux comédies musicales américaines la saveur de l’opérette parisienne, Ciboulette est la première partition légère qu’écrivit Reynaldo Hahn. On y suit les tribulations de la jolie maraîchère Ciboulette, décidée à se forger un destin brillant sans sacrifier ses sentiments. Sa quête du bonheur l’amène à croiser toute une galerie de personnages typiques du Paris de la Belle Époque, des plus modestes aux plus distingués.

In Benoît Jacquot’s production, Manet’s Olympia dominates the stage of the Opéra Bastille. In 1863, the painting caused a scandal: the prostitute awaits her client, her expression proud, her demeanour assured. Is this Violetta? Like Olympia, Verdi’s most celebrated heroine surrenders to the spectator just as she surrenders to love, going so far as to die on stage, a woman’s ultimate sacrifice for her lover. Or might it be the spectator who strips her bare and intrudes upon her privacy, in the image of this milieu of social voyeurism? Whatever the case, these two women regard us with defiance and subjugate those who cannot help but look at them.

The first words uttered by Carmen mark one of the greatest entrances in the history of opera and express all that need be said: “Love is a rebellious bird that no one can tame…” With a devilish sway of the hips and a hint of Andalusian flair, the beautiful cigar-maker sets her sights on a soldier: Don José. Fate will do the rest.

Opéra "Lakmé" de Léo Delibes à l'Opéra Comique à Paris en 2022, sous la direction de Raphaël Pichon et avec l'ensemble Pygmalion; Mise e scène de laurent Pelly.