Founded under Louis XIV as a travelling fairground company, the Opéra-Comique invented the emblematic genre of the Enlightenment before producing the nineteenth-century masterpieces of Bizet, Offenbach and Massenet. Léo Cohen-Paperman and Émilien Diard-Detœuf retrace this three-hundred-year theatrical saga in comedy and music. The artists of the Académie reveal the backstage of creation and play with our collective memory, from Dauvergne to French popular song. A festive, popular show that revives the fairground spirit and its complicity with the audience.
A tour across the regions between January and May 2027
Cast
Stage direction, Léo Cohen-Paperman • With Louise Bourgeat, Sophie Marcoux, Carla Chevillard, Ulysse Timoteo, Charles Fraisse, Flannan Obé • Ensemble instrumental
See all the castFounded by Catherine Vondrebeck towards the end of Louis XIV's reign, the Opéra-Comique began life as a fairground troupe before being officially recognised in 1762. During its earliest seasons, the restrictions imposed by the two royal theatres — the Opéra and the Comédie-Française — compelled the company to reinvent its productions constantly before eager and enthusiastic audiences. The comic opera thus became the emblematic genre of the Age of Enlightenment, evolving from farce to sentimental comedy, from the recycling of popular tunes to fully original scores, before giving rise to the masterpieces of Bizet, Offenbach, Massenet, and so many others in the nineteenth century.
The Opéra-Comique invited Léo Cohen-Paperman and Émilien Diard-Detœuf to recount this three-hundred-year theatrical odyssey through comedy and music. Against a set in perpetual motion, the artists of the Académie de l'Opéra-Comique draw back the curtain on the secrets of theatrical creation and the recipes for success, all the while playing mischievously with collective memory. A joyous and exuberantly popular entertainment, the production rekindles the fairground spirit through a delightfully knowing rapport between the singing troupe, the musicians on stage and, above all, the audience itself!
Music by Dauvergne, Grétry, Bizet, Offenbach, Delibes; French popular songs.
La Fabuleuse histoire de l'Opéra-Comique en tournée
Artistic team
Cast
Production / Co-production
With the support of
The Académie de l'Opéra-Comique receives the support of
In partnership with
L’OARA (Office Artistique de la Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine)
Where does the performance take place?
Off-site season: The Opéra-Comique's Fabulous History is presented on tour in 16 cities across France between January and May 2027 (Poitiers, Châtellerault, Albi, Arcachon, Bayonne, Mont-de-Marsan, Agen, Gradignan, Périgueux, Cherbourg, Fontainebleau, Besançon, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Compiègne, Rennes, Saint-Brieuc).
How long is the performance?
The show lasts 1h40, with no intermission.
In what language is the show sung?
The show is performed in French.
What if I'm late?
Out of respect for the artists and the audience, latecomers can only be seated at an appropriate moment of the performance. Specific conditions may vary depending on the host venue.
What are the rates for this show?
Ticketing is managed by each partner venue: please refer to the website of the venue where you wish to attend the performance for the current rates.
How can I book?
Bookings are made directly with the partner venues (theatres and national stages hosting the tour).
Are there resources to prepare for your visit?
Yes, find interviews, contextual articles and podcasts about the show on the Opéra-Comique website.
How can I find out about accessibility?
Accessibility conditions vary depending on the host venues of the tour. For any questions, please contact the Opéra-Comique's accessibility team: accessibilite@opera-comique.com or +33 (0)1 70 23 01 44.
How do I contact the accessibility team?
The accessibility team can be reached by phone on +33 (0)1 70 23 01 44 or by email at accessibilite@opera-comique.com.
