The performing arts in Paris for this fall and winter are thriving with hundreds of performance across the city. We’ve curated a short list of the must-see concerts, theater, dance and opera.
Theater
Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion Freak Show
The bad boy of French fashion designers, Jean Paul Gaultier, is expanding his repertoire. He has created an autobiographical musical, Fashion Freak Show, of which he also is the co-director, set designer and, of course, costume designer. The feel-good show encompasses four decades of his outrageous but now iconic designs, plus it traces his desire to be a designer starting at seven years old. Musical director Nile Rodgers provides the energetic retro dance music and Marion Motin choreographs the talented dancers.
The show is in French and English, but the French parts are easy to follow.
Until December 30, 2018
Follies Bergere 32 rue Richer, 75009
Metro: Cadet
Tuesday to Saturday: 8PM
http://jpgfashionfreakshow.com/?lang=en
Cyrano de Bergerac
Theatre in Paris is an organization that presents French plays and musicals with English subtitles. Their latest show is the classic of all French plays, Cyrano de Bergerac, about the swashbuckling lover with an oversized nose.
https://www.theatreinparis.com/show/cyrano-de-bergerac
Dance
The Paris Opera Ballet is presenting two terrific programs this season.
Tribute to Jerome Robbins
Beloved American choreographer Jerome Robbins called the Paris Opera Ballet his second home, as he spent a significant time working with the great institution. A befitting tribute celebrates Robbins greatest dances and the program includes Fancy Free, Glass Pieces, A Suite of Dances, and Afternoon of a Faun.
Through November 14, 2018
https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/season-18-19/ballet/tribute-to-jerome-robbins
Cinderella
Dancer and choreographer Rudolf Nureyev took the Cinderella fairy tale and transported it to a film set, referencing icons of the American cinema. The fairy godmother morphs into a producer and the star actor becomes Prince Charming. Sergei Prokofiev composes music.
November 26, 2018 to January 2, 2019
Opera Garnier
https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/season-18-19/ballet/cinderella
Concerts
Bach: Christmas Oratorio
Mark this special occasion, a Christmas concert at the Royal Chapel at Versailles on your calendar if you are going to be in Paris. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio was composed in 1734 for the three days of Christmas. Composed of six cantatas, the music commemorates the birth of Christ and the Epiphany.
December 18, 2018: 8PM
Royal Chapel at Versailles
https://en.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr/programmation/bach-christmas-oratorio_e1812
Chick Corea – Solo Piano
American jazz great Chick Corea plays a rare piano solo concert in Paris for two nights only.
November 20 & 21: 8:30PM
Cité de la Musique
https://philharmoniedeparis.fr/en/activity/concert/19360-chick-corea?date=1542828600
Opera
La Traviata
Verdi’s La Traviata takes center stage this November at the Paris Bastille Opera. Director Benoit Jacquot’s interpretation focuses on Manet’s scandalous painting Olympia from 1863, depicting a prostitute.
Until December 29
Paris Opera Bastille
https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/season-18-19/opera/la-traviata
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