brubenow

The 2 options for ballet and opera when I'm visiting Paris are

1. Aida at Opéra Bastille
Or
2. Approximate Sonata (William Forsythe) ballet at Palais Garnier.

I'd much rather see Aida, and I've never been to an opera before. However, in terms of venues, I'd much rather go to the Palais Garnier. I've never seen it.

Which would you see and why?

FYI, I will have 2 kids along (9 and 11). I know these aren't the best events for kids but that's what the choices are. They see the Nutcracker ballet every Christmas, so that gives you an idea of what they are accustomed to. FYI, Aida has English subtitles the night I am considering going, so the kids would be able to follow along. But I know they would prefer the venue of the Palais Garnier.

Gretchen

I would rather see the ballet in that historic building for that experience.

Dukey1

OK, so you have decided you and the children would prefer the Garnier so what's the problem? Are you asking a whole bunch of people to tell you to "go anyway" or what?

brubenow

I prefer the venue of the Garnier, but prefer Aida over Approximate Sonata. Just curious to get opinions of others.

Christina

I think you should just take a tour of the Garnier building to see it, it would be better for the kids and what you really want. I would not take children to performances of those, and I doubt iof they would enjoy either, that ballet is nothing like the Nutcracker which is geared to children. If you end up taking them, be absolutely sure that they are quiet through the entire performance, not squirming and jumping around, etc. and they cannot talk during the performance at all.

Are you aware the run time of Aida is about 3 hours? A lot of opera is very long.

Okay, if it were me, I wouldn't go to either as I don't care for opera that much, and it is very expensive. I've been to several performances but just don't care for the art form enough to pay for it in most cities, and the performances are often very long (it's more of a bargain in cities like Prague). It is the most expensive performances out there, also, more than ballet. Now I do love ballet, but don't care for Forsythe's choreography, so I don't think I'd go to that one. That ballet is just a series of pas de deux, not the kind of thing I care for that much, and the music isn't anything special either. IN case you aren't aware, this is not a typical classical story ballet, in fact, it's a bit odd--and the score is just a fragmented piano work. I do like some contemporary ballets, a lot of things done by the Joffrey, for example, but not a ballet built around pas de deux, I guess he's trying to copy Balanchine. Here is one old review of that work http://www.culturekiosque.com/dance/..._forsythe.html


So I"d probably take a tour of the building to see it and then find some other performance experience. But that's just me, some people just love opera and would def. go to that no matter what it cost.

brubenow

Thanks Christina, that's an idea. I'll have to think about it as my family did want to see an actual performance.

My kids are very well behaved and they will sit still.

I did see that Aida runs about 3 hours. There is an option of leaving at intermission if the kids aren't into it. I know, I know, I'll get lots of criticism for even considering that. But it's an option. The point was just to expose them to a Parisian ballet or opera, one of the best in the world. If they don't make it through the whole show, then at least they got to experience half of it.

I love the ballet, but as you said, I'm not sure about that particular performance by Forsyth.

If Aida was playing at the Garnier, that would be perfect... But it's not.

Thanks for the advice. I'll have to think about it. Any other opinions?

Judy

If you are really not excited about either of these, why not take them to a violin concert at St Chapelle....a beautiful setting, great music, finished in a hour and much cheaper.

brubenow

I guess that's an idea too, Judy. My daughter (oldest) plays violin so that would be right up her alley.

fuzzbucket

A lot of people love opera, and would go stand in an empty, freezing warehouse just to hear "Aida". Opera Bastille is modern, but the acoustics are terrific. The problem will be getting enough seats for all of you (together or not), since tickets sell out as soon as they appear online. Frankly, this might be impossible - unless you are willing to gamble and go on the day of the performance when some seats become available (prices range from about 10 EU to astronomical). No guarantee that you could purchase as many as you need, though.

Aida is a wonderful opera, but chances are that there won't be a real, live elephant onstage at Bastille - so if you live in a city where your kids have access to opera on a regular basis, I would expose them to it at home.

If your kids are into "pomp and circumstance", I would recommend going to the ballet at Opera Garnier, just for all the shiny decorations and stuff.

brubenow

Fuzzbucket, I never even thought about tickets to Aida selling out! I'll have to look and see what's left. I'm willing to splurge on great seats since it's a unique experience that we would likely not repeat for a long time. I myself, have never been to the opera either.

No, we do not have access to opera where I live.

Yes, my kids do love an ornate building, so that's why I really wanted to see something at Garnier. But not thrilled about Approximate Sonata.

Judy

I love ballet and William Forsythe so would choose that, especially if great seats are available. Your children might enjoy having their box unlocked for them!

You can arrive early and walk around before the performance (adults can do so with champagne).....you can also tour the building at another time without seeing a performance.

brubenow

Judy what do you like about Forsythe?

brubenow

I checked and there are plenty of tickets for both Aida and the ballet, if we choose to go that route.

Judy

I like that it is contemporary but based in tradition. His work is innovative and unusual.

I like classical ballet but also enjoy his unique take on it.

twk

Take a tour of the Garnier--you won't get to see nearly as much of the place at a performance as you would during a tour. Go to Aida if you want the cultural experience, although the place I would like to see Aida is at the amphitheater at Verona.

shellio

One thing to be aware of is that while there are no bad seats at the Bastille, many seats ai Garnier have less than optimal sightlines. For what it's worth, the acoustics are much better at Bastille.

maxima

Take the tour of the Garnier. The ballet is not costume, story ballet. It will be contemporary, with spare or no sets with modern music. If you think your children will find this appealing, then its for you.

I would not go to the opera to see this particular production of Aida. I prefer my opera as the composer envisioned it, not some "concept" that is divorced from the music and story. here is a review and description of this production

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/c3665...44feab7de.html

I am sure that you could find some other performance that your family could enjoy.

brubenow

Thanks for all the input. After lots of consideration, looks like we'll just take a tour of the Garnier. Thanks for the advice!

fuzzbucket

Your kids might get really pumped up about going to the Opera Garnier if you remind them that the story of The Phantom of the Opera took place there...