"The promontory of the dream"
Stéphane Lissner

“Every living person has their own pigeonhole in the filing cabinet of the imagination” wrote Victor Hugo. In other words, no one should be deprived of dreams and the boundless universe of the imagination, nor excluded from the wealth of creation. And yet... We are better placed than most to know that the Opera remains beyond the reach of far too many people, who believe, rightly or wrongly, that our theatres are closed to them, that they have no place there or, worse still, that they are not welcome.

It is my wish to fight tirelessly against this feeling, which is understandable yet, in reality, unfounded. The constraints that weigh down on our efforts do exist,  however, I want to open our doors, make the Opera more accessible, including economically, and propose solutions likely to interest the greatest number, featuring major works from the opera and ballet repertoires as well as more unconventional presentations. This will enable us to advance together along more unusual roads, both broadening and focussing our view of the world as we go.

This need for accessibility has become all the more urgent given the troubling short‑sightedness that reigns in our world. It is the responsibility of the Paris Opera to work tirelessly so that our audiences, whatever their age, origins or history, may participate in the celebration renewed every evening at the Opéra Bastille and the Palais Garnier: a celebration which gives intense pleasure and makes us collectively more intelligent.

Such an ambition is not built up in a few months and requires tenacity, fidelity and a sense of continuity. For this reason our 2017/ 2018 season is based on the founding principles of the two previous ones: new encounters with the world’s most appreciated artists, invitations to personalities whose talents have not yet been seen on our stages, the discovery of unknown or insufficiently performed works, the enrichment of the French musical repertoire, the continuation of the Berlioz and Wagner cycles, and contemporary creation, with an ever greater commitment to bringing opera and ballet together on the same stage.

I have built this new season with our Musical Director and our new Director of Dance. Philippe Jordan and I have been fellow travellers for several years now, and I am delighted to see the ever-growing bond of loyalty with both our musicians and our public. Aurélie Dupont, our Étoile, is embarking on her first season. It bears the mark of her attachment to our institution, her intimate knowledge of the company and her formidable energy.

The 3e scène, our digital space for creation in the fields of opera, dance and music, enters the second phase of its young existence after having already found an audience all around the world. Starting in early 2017, it will offer contributions and formats quite different from those of last year, transcending social and geographical boundaries and formats, whilst maintaining a spirit of continuity with the initial project.

An avid reader of Voltaire’s tales, Victor Hugo once said of him “He leaves reality to enter the realms of truth”. This is the fundamental experience we propose to share with you by crossing the threshold of our theatres and coming to discover the works, their creators and their performers.