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.

HAMLET

In the 1860s, Ambroise Thomas was among those composers who, like Verdi with Macbeth and Gounod with Roméo et Juliette, chose to bring a Shakespeare play to the opera stage. He selected Hamlet, the most famous and also the most philosophical. In the version crafted by librettists Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, the Prince of Denmark loses some of his metaphysical dimension, which is offset by a score full of vivid detail, even featuring two saxophone solos.

While Ambroise Thomas draws on the codes of French grand opera – five acts, a ballet, large forces – he reshapes the form by focussing on the inner drama. Premiered in 1868 at the Paris Opera, the work was a great success. Director Krzysztof Warlikowski offers a psychoanalytic reading of the opera – here performed in the tenor version – in which Hamlet, trapped inside his memories and obsessions, relives the trauma of his father’s murder.

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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.