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