At first glance, the Belle Hélène makes you smile and dance at the expense of her deceived husband. But shouldn’t we feel sorry for the victim, Ménélas, as fate drives Hélène into Pâris’ arms and lures Greeks into the most terrible of wars?

This opéra-bouffe is an exquisite parody, which offers several layers of meaning — and delight. It was created in 1864, just after the release of Berlioz’ Trojans and, above all, in full liberalisation of theatrical life. Offenbach and his librettists invite us to challenge classical culture, while expressing our fantasies, our dreams and our concerns. Just as their contemporaries, they provide us with an opportunity for Homeric laughter: whether in Sparte or in Paris, then as now, no-one keeps a straight face for a long time…

This revenge of Parisian taste over boredom - as the press depicted it in 1874 - was Offenbach’s first international success.

As Ménélas, Michel Fau celebrates theatre. At the head of the Frivolités Parisiennes, Pierre Dumoussaud makes music sparkle. In the title role, Marie-Nicole Lemieux makes humour rhyme with sensuality

Musical direction Pierre Dumoussaud • Stage direction Michel Fau • Choir Les éléments • Orchestra Les Frivolités Parisiennes

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2h30 - Salle Favart
145, 125, 100, 75, 50, 35, 15, 6 €
Show sang in French with French and English subtiltes

Audio description (EN)

Some operas are available in audio description. "Image whisperers” are also available on demand.
More info on this page

People with reduced mobility

16 seats are dedicated to people with reduced mobility, on reservation at the box office or by phone. Access to the lift is located 5 rue Favart
+33 1 70 23 01 44 | accessibilite@opera-comique.com

Relax sessions

Relax sessions offer a inclusive caring environment for people whose disability (autism, multiple disabilities, mental or psychic disability, Alzheimer…) may give rise to atypical and unpredictable behaviour during the show.

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