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Laurent Philippe / OnP

Laurent Philippe / OnP

Ballet

Paquita

Pierre Lacotte

Opéra Bastille

from 05 December 2024 to 04 January 2025

from €15 to €170

2h05 with 1 interval

Paquita

Opéra Bastille - from 05 December 2024 to 04 January 2025

Synopsis

Listen to the synopsis

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“When I recreate a ballet, I search for the fragrance of the period”, said dancer and choreographer Pierre Lacotte, who died in 2023. In Paquita, that perfume is the heady scent of Spain, mixed with elegant French fragrances.

In the Valley of the Bulls, near Saragossa occupied by Napoleon’s armies, Paquita, a young gypsy girl, refuses the advances of an aristocrat, Lucien d’Hervilly, because of her modest condition. But when she saves him from a plot hatched by the Spanish governor, she discovers that her origins are far nobler than she thought…

Pierre Lacotte, a lover of the Romantic repertoire, reconstructed Joseph Mazilier’s ballet in 2001. The work had enchanted Théophile Gautier when it premiered at the Paris Opera in 1846 but gradually fell into oblivion despite Marius Petipa’s new version in 1882. With its sumptuous sets and costumes, his Paquita portrays a picturesque Spain combining mime and characterful dances with dazzingly vivacious virtuoso technique.

Duration : 2h05 with 1 interval

Show acts

Detail of acts

First part

Act 1
First scene The valley of the Bulls in the neighbourhood of Saragossa

A mason is seen chiselling an inscription on a marble tablet. Enter a French General, the Comte d’Hervilly, accompanied by the Spanish Governor, Don Lopez, and his sister, Seraphina. The General’s son, Lucien, escorts his mother. The Comte d’Hervilly explains that the tablet is erected in memory of his brother who, some years ago, was killed on this spot. A village festival is about to take place. Don Lopez does the honours of his country while the General takes Seraphina’s hand and places it in that of Lucien.

She offers no opposition, but her father’s manner suggests resignation from political necessity rather than approval. Gay music heralds the arrival of a company of gypsies. Iñigo, the chief, has set his heart on Paquita. She appears. (Paquita draws from her bosom a miniature which she believes to portray her father). At the conclusion of the gypsy dances, Paquita passes the tambourine round. In the course of her collection she makes a great impression on Lucien. He questions Paquita, and cannot believe that she was born among the gypsies.

She wishes to show him the miniature, but Iñigo, anticipating the conversation, has filched it. Lucien proposes that she go with him. But, mindful of the distance that separates a gypsy from an aristocrat, she declines. The Governor tells Iñigo that he may kill Lucien with impunity, and he has a plan. He asks the villagers to offer a tribute in the form of flowers, but he retains Paquita’s posy which he gives to a young gypsy-girl, with certain instructions. The girl hands Lucien Paquita’s posy : he takes it as a promise for a rendez-vous and leaves to rejoin Paquita.

Second scene The interior of a gipsy dwelling
Paquita is alone, dreaming of the officer whom she will probably never see again. Iñigo enters with a cloaked man who, on removing his mask, proves to be the Governor. Paquita overhears their conversation. She wants to inform Lucien of their plot. There is a knock at the door and Lucien enters. He asks Iñigo to accord him shelter for the night. Paquita makes signs to warn Lucien of the imminent danger. Iñigo invites Lucien to sup and pours out a glass of wine for his guest.

Paquita gives Lucien to understand that it is drugged, and she changes the glasses. Iñigo, at the same moment becomes drowsy and sinks into his chair. He drags at his clothes the better to breathe and Paquita’s miniature falls on the table. She seizes it. Paquita has an idea : she and Lucien stand against the wall which, turning on its axis, transports them outside.

Second part

Act 2

A ballroom in the residence of the French General
The Comte d’Hervilly appears with Seraphina and the Governor Don Lopez. The General’s wife, who accompanies them, is alarmed at Lucien’s non-arrival. Suddenly Lucien appears with Paquita. He describes the danger he has escaped, and declares that he owes his life to Paquita’s courage and devotion. Paquita catches sight of the Governor and, recoiling in horror, announces that he bribed the men to murder Lucien. At this revelation the Governor is placed under arrest.

Paquita wishes to take flight when she comes face to face with the portrait on the wall. She draws out the miniature and, comparing the portraits, finds that they are alike : the officer is her father. She is the sole survivor of the massacre in the valley of the Bulls!  

Artists

Ballet in two acts

Creative team

Cast

  • Thursday 05 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Friday 06 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Sunday 08 December 2024 at 14:30
  • Monday 09 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Wednesday 11 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Thursday 12 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Saturday 14 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Sunday 15 December 2024 at 14:30
  • Tuesday 17 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Wednesday 18 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Friday 20 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Saturday 21 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Monday 23 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Wednesday 25 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Thursday 26 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Friday 27 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Saturday 28 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Sunday 29 December 2024 at 14:30
  • Monday 30 December 2024 at 20:00
  • Wednesday 01 January 2025 at 20:00
  • Thursday 02 January 2025 at 20:00
  • Friday 03 January 2025 at 20:00
  • Saturday 04 January 2025 at 20:00

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

Latest update 03 December 2024, cast is likely to change.

With the Paris Opera Étoiles, Premières Danseuses, Premiers Danseurs and Corps de Ballet
With the participation of students from the Paris Opera Ballet School
The Paris Opera Orchestra

Media

[TRAILER] PAQUITA by Pierre Lacotte
[TRAILER] PAQUITA by Pierre Lacotte
  • Paquita's Grand Pas

    Paquita's Grand Pas

    Watch the video

  • Draw-me Paquita

    Draw-me Paquita

    Watch the video

Paquita's Grand Pas

Watch the video

Valentine Colasante and Guillaume Diop rehearse with Agnès Letestu

4:31 min

Paquita's Grand Pas

By Antony Desvaux

On the occasion of the revival of Paquita in Pierre Lacotte's production, Valentine Colasante and Guillaume Diop talk about their leading roles in this ballet created by Joseph Mazilier in 1846. The Étoiles dancers recount the love story between Paquita and Lucien d'Hervilly, and how they work their characters between mischief and romanticism. To guide them through the rehearsals for” Le Grand pas”, Étoile dancer Agnès Letestu shares her experience with them in the studio. In this ballet full of humor and drama, Valentine Colasante and Guillaume Diop emphasize the importance of expression and the balance to be achieved with technical virtuosity.  

Draw-me Paquita

Watch the video

Understand the plot in 1 minute

1:10 min

Draw-me Paquita

By Pajot Matthieu

  • Paquita (saison 24/25) - Pas de trois - Variation n°2

  • Paquita (saison 24/25) - Grands pas

  • Paquita (saison 23/24) - Pas de trois - Coda

  • Paquita (saison 24/25) - Mazurka

  • Paquita (saison 24/25) - Trio Taverne

  • Paquita (saison 24/25) - Valse

  • Paquita (saison 24/25) - Pas de trois - Variation n°1

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[LIVE] Paquita


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Opéra Bastille

Place de la Bastille

75012 Paris

Public transport

Underground Bastille (lignes 1, 5 et 8), Gare de Lyon (RER)

Bus 29, 69, 76, 86, 87, 91, N01, N02, N11, N16

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Car park

Q-Park Opéra Bastille 34, rue de Lyon 75012 Paris

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"Even accompanied by music, steps are not enough to reconstruct a work. A ballet from the past is a complex and fragile thing. Its authenticity goes beyond mere choreography. This is why all the notations and scores that have been found constitute little more than a ‘base’ that needs to be refined by applying all the necessary nuances of colour. Sometimes the steps are available. But respect for tempi, accents and style must also be considered… And this is perhaps the most delicate task: a question of culture and sensitivity. There are two ways of reconstituting a piece. One is that of the archaeologist who leaves the remains as they are and the other is that of the person who breathes new life into what has been found. I chose the latter.”

BUY THE PROGRAM
  • Cloakrooms

    Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.

  • Restaurant

    CoCo is open every day from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am. More information on coco-paris.com or at +33 1 42 68 86 80 (reservations).

  • Last-minute tickets

    €10 for seats with a limited view of the stage and special reduced rates are available. 

    LEARN MORE.

  • Parking

    You can park your car at the Q-Park Edouard VII. It is located at Rue Bruno Coquatrix 75009 Paris (in front of 23 Rue de Caumartin).

    BOOK YOUR PARKING PLACE.

In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:

  • €25 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
  • €40 tickets for senior citizens over 65

Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.

Opéra Bastille
  • Open 1h before performances and until performances end
  • Get in from within the theatre’s public areas
  • For more information: +33 1 40 01 17 82

Opéra Bastille

Place de la Bastille

75012 Paris

Public transport

Underground Bastille (lignes 1, 5 et 8), Gare de Lyon (RER)

Bus 29, 69, 76, 86, 87, 91, N01, N02, N11, N16

Calculate my route
Car park

Q-Park Opéra Bastille 34, rue de Lyon 75012 Paris

Book your parking spot
super alt text
super alt text
super alt text
super alt text
super alt text

"Even accompanied by music, steps are not enough to reconstruct a work. A ballet from the past is a complex and fragile thing. Its authenticity goes beyond mere choreography. This is why all the notations and scores that have been found constitute little more than a ‘base’ that needs to be refined by applying all the necessary nuances of colour. Sometimes the steps are available. But respect for tempi, accents and style must also be considered… And this is perhaps the most delicate task: a question of culture and sensitivity. There are two ways of reconstituting a piece. One is that of the archaeologist who leaves the remains as they are and the other is that of the person who breathes new life into what has been found. I chose the latter.”

BUY THE PROGRAM
  • Cloakrooms

    Free cloakrooms are at your disposal. The comprehensive list of prohibited items is available here.

  • Restaurant

    CoCo is open every day from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am. More information on coco-paris.com or at +33 1 42 68 86 80 (reservations).

  • Last-minute tickets

    €10 for seats with a limited view of the stage and special reduced rates are available. 

    LEARN MORE.

  • Parking

    You can park your car at the Q-Park Edouard VII. It is located at Rue Bruno Coquatrix 75009 Paris (in front of 23 Rue de Caumartin).

    BOOK YOUR PARKING PLACE.

In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:

  • €25 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
  • €40 tickets for senior citizens over 65

Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.

Opéra Bastille
  • Open 1h before performances and until performances end
  • Get in from within the theatre’s public areas
  • For more information: +33 1 40 01 17 82

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2 min

Paquita

Paquita in 5 costumes

Spain, Zaragoza, Napoleonic Wars. In a few words, here’s the context of this ballet created in 1846 by Joseph Mazilier and revived in 2001 by Pierre Lacotte who remained faithful to the period. Follow me, I’ll tell you more in 5 costumes.

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