OPÉRA D'ÉTÉ 2026

To broaden access to major operatic and choreographic works in keeping with its public-service mission, the Paris Opera promotes the free summer screening—outdoors or in a suitable heritage venue—of an opera or ballet filmed in its theatres, the Palais Garnier or the Opéra Bastille.

This is the purpose of the “Opéra d’été” initiative, launched in 2013, to which the Paris Opera is particularly committed.

This year, we are pleased to extend this programme to all French Institutes and Alliances Françaises worldwide, helping to bring the initiative to an international audience.

lyrical works

MADAMA BUTTERFLY by Giacomo Puccini

The Paris Opera pays tribute to Robert Wilson: the recording of his masterful Madama Butterfly will be programmed as part of Opéra d'été 2026.

Poor Madame Butterfly! The 15-year-old geisha, who has renounced her family and Japanese traditions for the love of an American naval officer, finds herself abandoned in favour of a Western wife.

Robert Wilson’s mesmerizing production, inspired by the aesthetics of Japanese theatre, amplifies the raw emotion of Puccini’s score.

LA BOHÈME by Giacomo Puccini

Director: Claus Guth

Giacomo Puccini offers us the heart‑breaking story of the poet, Rodolfo, and the fragile Mimi, and some of the most beautiful pages in the repertoire.

The director, Claus Guth, sets their broken love affair in space, creating a universe in which the past resurges in the form of hallucinatory flashbacks.

choreographic works

CINDERELLA by Rudolf Nureyev

Charles Perrault’s celebrated tale, set to music by Sergei Prokofiev, is transposed to a film set.

In a series of references to the heroes of the American cinema, Rudolf Nureyev propels his Cinderella under the spotlights of Hollywood.

With a producer for fairy godmother and a star actor as Prince Charming, she escapes her miserable destiny and sees her dreams come true.

Balanchine / Béjart / Pite

Who Cares ?
Choreography: George Balanchine
Music: George Gershwin

Boléro
Choreography: Maurice Béjart
Music: Maurice Ravel

The Seasons’ Canon
Choreography: Crystal Pite
Music: Max Richter

We would be greatly honored if your municipality, department, territory, organization, or institution were to take part in this initiative.

Should you wish to do so, we would kindly ask your services to send to the Paris Opera’s audiovisual department—at the following address: opera-ete@operadeparis.fr—a file meeting the technical specifications and including, in particular: