Opéra

Opéra is a form of theatre in which music is the central component, combining vocal performance, orchestral accompaniment, and staged action. Operas are typically sung throughout, though some works include spoken dialogue. The repertoire spans subgenres such as opera seria, opera buffa, and opéra comique, and may incorporate ballet or dance. The term opéra is French and is used to describe the art form in Francophone contexts, while the word opera is used in many other languages. Opera is usually performed in dedicated venues known as opera houses, which oversee staging, lighting, and musical direction.

In Paris, Opéra denotes a district in the 9th arrondissement centered on Place de l’Opéra and the city’s major opera venues. The Palais Garnier, commonly called the Opéra Garnier, is a historic opera house designed by Charles Garnier and opened in 1875 as the home of the Paris Opera. It is notable for its Beaux-Arts architecture and grand interior spaces. The other principal Paris venue is the modern Opéra Bastille, which opened in 1989 and is situated near the Bastille. Together, these homes form the Opéra National de Paris, the city’s principal opera company, which stages productions at both sites and coordinates the institution’s programming.

The Opéra district is part of the larger Grands Boulevards area and includes cultural institutions, shops, and significant transportation links. The name reflects Paris’s long-standing association with opera and performing arts, and the district remains a central hub for French musical life and tourism.