National Theatre of the Opera Comique — Attraction in Paris

AMIDE, the opera (with modern twist). First, it is very difficult to spoil this classic masterpiece, however:

The orchestra uses microphones and the sound is really bad - bitting noise on low frequencies. I understand claviers need some amplification, but why every instrument?? Fake live music!

The opera presentation itself. No proper decorations, no proper costumes. These are meant to be offset by the dance and original moves of the opera singers - NO, they dance like in a mental house, with idiotic smiles that rarely fits the plot. Of course it is much cheaper not to purchase the proper costumes and decorations, but the price of the tickets are still the same - around 100 euros. Where is the difference?

Costumes and action. The prologue. Three girl singers (main characters, fairies by the way, AMIDE ....others), they are fitting the modern boots on Amide, while praising her-- relevance?? Others wear heavy military coats of the first world war era ( in the desert?? Oh, these must be borrowed from the previous play!). And another one appears wearing modern leather jacket. Ok I got it, it is new and pretentious, ...... but then, after the first 30 min. everyone starts to wear the robes and AMIDE suddenly wears a proper dress in which she sings for another 3 hours. Sorry there is no cohesion , this is just a failed attempt.

Quality of the singers. Generally good, but the Amide.

Of course the main character is shown to sleep with another man, no problem, maybe, maybe not, but what's the relevance to the original script??

In the middle of the opera they release lots of white smoke. Whyyyyyyyy??????

Overall - boring and ordinary. Good may be for high school drama lessons. Do not waste your time and read the description (in French) before falling...

First visit to Paris Opera Comique. Overall an excellent experience. Stunning interior, excellent acoustics and wonderful singing.

My two recommendations are: 1) monitor the temperature throughout the performance as during my visit, it was stifling hot and the HVAC system should have been able to open some outside vents and let air fall into the building to cool us. I was seated on the third level (two more levels above me) and it felt like 80 degrees F (27C) and 2) it would be helpful to post and or advise when I purchase my tickets what the intermission rules are as I went straight downstairs to the bar to buy water as it was so hot, got onto a short line to make the purchase, stood drinking some water for about two minutes then headed back upstairs and tried to use the restroom. I was probably one of the last people back to my seat a minute before the intermission finished and it was far too rushed. Consider adding some bars on the third level, allowing the upper tiers a shorter walk to get a drink and use the restroom.

I will attend again my next...

Visited for one of their ballets. This was an amazing experience and we looked forward to seeing more shows.

You can book tickets online through operadeparis website.

The building is absolutely stunning on the outside and inside. I would highly recommend visiting.

A masterpiece of 19th-century theatrical architecture, the Palais Garnier, built by Charles Garnier and inaugurated in 1875, is the thirteenth opera house in Paris since the foundation of this institution by Louis XIV in 1669.

Its construction was decided by Napoleon III as part of the major renovation of the capital carried out under his order by Baron Haussmann.

A historic monument open to visitors during the day. It presents lyrical and choreographic shows.

Full price with temporary exposure, €14; full price excluding exposure period, €12. The ticket gives access to: the library-museum, the Subscribers' Rotunda, the Pythia Basin, the Grand Staircase, the Grand Foyer, the Avant Foyer, the Moon and Sun Lounges and the Glacier Rotunda. Access to the concert hall may be restricted or...