| Paris is recognized as one of the most romantic cities | | | | Since the opening of the Opera Bastille, the Opera |
| in the world and yet it is appreciated for the cultural | | | | Garnier has devoted its repertoire exclusively to ballet. |
| sophistication as well. It is a great city to visit if you truly | | | | Though its productions are internationally renowned for |
| love the arts. | | | | their quality, they tend to remain on the traditional side |
| Many people believe the ballet and opera actually | | | | of contemporary dance. The Ballet de L'Opera de |
| began in Paris. If you enjoy ballet and opera than a visit | | | | Paris and the Opera National de Paris schedule some |
| to Paris without attending the opera or ballet is | | | | performances here and some at the Opera de la |
| regrettable. | | | | Bastille. |
| Ballet is a formalized form of dance with its origins in | | | | In both venues, reduced ticket prices may be available |
| the Italian Renaissance court of the 15th century. One | | | | at the box office 15 minutes before performance time |
| can consider that the real beginning of the Paris Opera | | | | for students and people under 25 or over 65. Place de |
| Ballet occured in 1661. Ballet developed further in the | | | | l'Opera, 75009 Paris. The metro is Opera and Auber. |
| French court from the time of Louis XIV in the 17th | | | | Theatre Musical de Paris (Theatre du Chatelet) lies |
| century hence the term ballet which is from the French | | | | between the Pont au Change (which crosses to the Ile |
| vocabulary. | | | | de la Cite and the boulevard de Sebastapol. These |
| Ballet de La Opera National de Paris is rated one of | | | | theatres were built by Davioud in 1862, and each now |
| the best dance companies in the world; it outdoes itself | | | | leads a separate and even rival existence. |
| in both the classics and avant-garde, staged in the | | | | The Chatelet concentrates mainly on opera and |
| same aspect of Opera. | | | | classical music, with occasional ballet, and usually has a |
| It is universally agreed that the ballet in Paris is truly one | | | | rich program of international performers. (It recently |
| of a kind. The performers are recognized worldwide. | | | | acquired an annex in Les Halles, the Auditorium, where |
| The Opera is a spectacular theatrical concert featuring | | | | more unusual or obscure music is performed.) |
| singers who spend several hours practicing and | | | | The other theatre, previously named the Sarah |
| performing. Many in the audience leave in awe | | | | Bernhardt and now known as the Theatre de la Ville, |
| wondering how these opera singers can sing the way | | | | offers top names in contemporary dance, innovative |
| that they do. Their costumes and the way they | | | | French theatre, and evening concerts of jazz or world |
| perform almost take you into another place or time. | | | | music. |
| In 1989, the Bicentennial of the French Revolution was | | | | Before the Bastille Opera opened, and with the |
| marked by the inauguration of the Opera Bastille, a | | | | Garnier's transition to an all-dance programme, the |
| 2700-seat auditorium acoustics and stage vision of its | | | | TMP was the only Parisian venue offering a complete |
| are unrivaled so to get a seat you need to reserve | | | | programme of high-quality opera. Despite the arrival of |
| months in advance. | | | | such a massive rival, the TMP has continued its |
| The productions are both popular and critically | | | | ambitious schedule of progressive, well-made |
| acclaimed. The site's multi-functional performance | | | | productions. Address: 1, place du Chatelet, 75001 Paris; |
| space also hosts various concert and dance | | | | phone: 01-40-28-28-98; fax: 01-42-36-89-75; The metro |
| programs. Place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris. The metro | | | | is Chatelet. |
| is Bastille. | | | | Some countries offer scholarships to Paris for those |
| The sumptuous and prestigious Paris Opera building, | | | | they feel are good enough in the art of ballet or opera, |
| designed by Charles Garnier in 1861 and completed in | | | | With every talented ballet student or opera singer that |
| 1875, is one of the largest theatre venues in the world | | | | comes out of Paris, more of the world has the |
| The Opera Garnier stage is 118,404 square feet, | | | | opportunity to enjoy a piece of Paris. |
| accomodate 450 players.The tale for the classic | | | | So, after seeing the sites during the day, and you like |
| horror movie, The Phantom of the Opera, was in the | | | | the ballet or the opera they usually perform at night |
| Opera Garnier. | | | | and this would be a great thing to do to end a great |
| For an entry fee, you can stroll around the interior at | | | | day. |
| your leisure (except occasionally during rehearsals). | | | | |