We are a couple in our late twenties going to Paris for a week after the New Year. Both of us have never been to the opera or the b allet so would like to give it a try. Should we go see the opera or ballet? Is one less formal than the other? WHat language will the opera be in? We both do not speak french. Which is more entertaining? As you can see we really donot know much about these 2 forms of entertainment.

Going to the ballet or opera in Paris is always a wonderful experience. However, given the date you're travelling, I have a feeling that your choices may well be limited by what's available. Tickets often sell out very quickly for the big performances, so your first stop should be the Paris Opera website (www.operadeparis.fr). You should really try to book straight away.<BR><BR> Paris has two Opera houses, the beautiful old Op&eacute;ra Garnier and the modern Op&eacute;ra Bastille. The Op&eacute;ra Garnier is more of an &quot;experience&quot; given the architecture and plush interior, but being older, the actual viewing isn't as good as the Opera Bastille, which offers better acoustics and better seating (less likely to have a poor view).<BR>Both Opera houses put on both ballet and opera performances. <BR><BR>The Opera will be in whatever language it was written in (French, Italian, German...) and there should be &quot;surtitles&quot; - the text of the songs translated into French and scrolled across a sort of screen above the stage.<BR><BR>Once you know what opera you're going to see, you can easily find out the main plot by doing an internet search.<BR><BR>It's hard to say which is more entertaining, as it's really a matter of personal taste. Some people prefer the movement and grace of the ballet, while others can't get over all the men in tights!! <BR><BR>I can guarantee that if you do manage go and see a performance at either Opera house, it will be stunning.

If you will be in Paris during the first week of January, it looks like you can only choose from the ballet 'Sylvia' or the opera 'The Woman without a Shadow' (by R. Strauss), both at the Bastille. The opera is not an 'popular' one (I'm an opera lover too); I'd suggest you go for the ballet.

Either one as long as it is in the Opera Garnier!

To see what is playing and where and when go to: http://www.stargonaut.com<BR>Let the screen settle and then click on the left side for each selection.

Good luck getting tickets now. We went to the ballet in April and I ordered our tickets online several months beforehand. However, sometimes you can show up prior to the performance and people will have tickets they can't use for sale.

I would absolutely go to whatever is playing at the Garnier. It is the most beautiful house you will not believe it. The incredible marble staircases, red velvet opera boxes and that truely amazing ceiling painted by Chagall!!! Just going there for any reason is an event!!!!<BR><BR>Wendy

I am a ballet lover and like opera music but don't care for opera performances that much. Nowadays, formality doesn't matter that much as the audience will wear most anything, but I'd probably say the ballet is less formal. There are a couple things you might want to know -- operas are often much longer than ballets and they are much more expensive (due to production costs). Given you are not familiar with either, I would definitely choose the ballet for those reasons alone.<BR><BR>Now, it's true I prefer ballet, but I've seen that production of Sylvia and it is very good, a really original modern production with great choreography, surprises, stunning costumes, and the musical score is also beautiful. (Delibes is one of my favorite ballet score composers and that is a good one of his, even though the ballet perhaps not as great as Coppelia.)<BR><BR>Unfortunately, neither is at the Garnier, but the Bastille is very good for ballet performances with good sight lines. I think you might enjoy Sylvia (also you don't have to worry about language, just enjoy the music and dance). <BR><BR>