Enter the heart of creation and discover the artists at work!

The Paris National Opera offers Arop members the privilege of observing the work of the artists and the genesis of a production at different times: work sessions, pre-dress rehearsals and dress rehearsals.

CARMEN

No matter how much she warns them: “If you don’t love me, I love you; if I love you, beware”, Carmen enthralls and enraptures men, making them forget duty and reason. And so it is that a smitten Don José loses his honour for the sake of a flower thrown by a woman who knows no law other than her own desire.

No wonder this fiery gypsy caused a scandal on 3 March 1875, when Carmen premiered at the Opéra-Comique in front of an audience and press shocked by this “Castilian wantonness”. Georges Bizet died three months later aged just 36, never suspecting that his last opera would become one of the most performed in the world.

Eschewing the myth and clichés attached to Carmen, Calixto Bieito delivers a harsh, sensual production in which raw desire is nothing more than the manifestation of a woman’s passion for life, a woman courageous to the point of death.

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Access requirements:

• Absolute discretion so that the artists do not feel the presence of an audience.

• It is forbidden to leave the room during the rehearsal.

• No photography or filming and no applause.

• In case of delay, entry are allowed only during the break.

Any person who does not respect these rules may be refused access to the rehearsals. Work sessions last approximately 3 hours with a 30-minute break for operas and 20 minutes for ballets.

Cancellation policy:

• These sessions may be interrupted or closed to the public at any time for technical or artistic reasons.

• If they are cancelled, the Arop cannot be held responsible for rescheduling your seat.

• In case of withdrawal, please inform us as soon as possible so that members on a waiting list can benefit from the available seats.

• Any cancellation on your part for a rehearsal (work session, pre-general and general), less than 2 working days before the date of the event, will be deducted from the number of places allocated per season.

Booking procedure:

The assignment of rehearsal seats is done by membership level: Founding Patron members have priority over Patron members, who have priority over Benefactor members, who have priority over Donor members, who have priority over Friend members.