Carmen - Open Air Opera
Popular open-air opera featuring over 150 artists in the heart of Perche
About Opera in the Countryside
Opera comes to the heart of Perche
Opéra en Campagne is an association born from a bold idea: to make lyrical art accessible where it is least expected, in rural areas. Founded by conductor Pierre Ledru, this original initiative aims to create an opera rooted in its territory, the Perche, by uniting local talents and opening the doors of classical music to all audiences. The choice of Nogent-le-Rotrou as the performance venue is no accident: this historic town in Eure-et-Loir, with its remarkable heritage, offers a natural and architectural setting conducive to lyrical enchantment.
Carmen: a masterful first production
For its first production, Opéra en Campagne has chosen one of the most popular operas in the world: Georges Bizet's Carmen. Presented in May 2025 at the Théâtre de Verdure in Nogent-le-Rotrou, this production mobilized over 150 artists on stage: 10 professional lyrical soloists, a symphony orchestra of 60 musicians, and 2 adult and children's choirs recruited and trained in the region. The original staging by Nicolas Gaudart, under the musical direction of Pierre Ledru, offered a vibrant and accessible version of this masterpiece.
A social and solidarity project
Beyond the performance, Opéra en Campagne carries a true social and solidarity project. The recruitment of choristers from among the inhabitants of Perche—adults and children, amateurs and novices—embodies this desire to make opera a shared and unifying art form. Months of rehearsals and training preceded the performances, creating a deep bond between the professional artists and the local participants. This participatory project transforms spectators into actors, making each performance a unique moment of communion.
Over 3,000 enthusiastic spectators
The three performances of Carmen in May 2025 attracted over 3,000 spectators, confirming the appetite of the rural public for lyrical art when it is offered in an open and uninhibited way. The success of this first production augurs a promising future for Opéra en Campagne, which aims to offer new open-air lyrical productions in the coming years, always in the Perche and always with this commitment to artistic quality and popular accessibility.
Opera in the Countryside — edition 2026
After the success of Carmen in 2025, Opéra en Campagne returned to Nogent-le-Rotrou from May 14 to 17, 2026 for four performances at the Salle Pierre-Mendès-France. On the program: the musical tale Un Petit Prince by Coralie Fayolle based on Saint-Exupéry, followed by the opéra-bouffe Monsieur Choufleuri restera chez lui le… by Jacques Offenbach (1861). Musical direction by Pierre Ledru, staging by Lys Nordet.
Opéra en Campagne 2026 — Petit Prince & Choufleuri
After the memorable reception of Carmen at the Théâtre de Verdure in 2025, the Opéra en Campagne association took over the Salle Pierre-Mendès-France in Nogent-le-Rotrou from Thursday, May 14 to Sunday, May 17, 2026, for four performances dedicated to a double program marked by wonder and humor.
An Enchanted Interlude: Un Petit Prince
In the first part, the musical tale Un Petit Prince by composer Coralie Fayolle, based on the work of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, opened the evening. A poetic interlude designed for all ages, celebrating the spirit of the famous tale.
Irresistible Derision: Monsieur Choufleuri
In the second part, the audience discovered Monsieur Choufleuri restera chez lui le…, a one-act opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach created in 1861. A series of incredible misunderstandings revolving around a music-loving bourgeois whose star singers fail to show up on the evening of the big concert.
A Participatory Production Rooted in the Perche
The 2026 edition was led by musical direction by Pierre Ledru, staging by Lys Nordet (lyric singer) and choir work conducted by Delphine Cadet. On stage, about thirty amateur choristers from the region joined the professional soloists. The sets, designed by volunteers, used reversible panels to switch between the poetic world of the Little Prince and Monsieur Choufleuri's bourgeois salon. The musicians were integrated directly on stage, due to the lack of an orchestra pit in the Salle Pierre-Mendès-France.
Programme Opera in the Countryside 2026
Thursday, May 14, 2026 — 5:00 PM
Salle Pierre-Mendès-France · Musical tale Un Petit Prince by Coralie Fayolle followed by opéra-bouffe Monsieur Choufleuri restera chez lui le… by Jacques Offenbach.
Friday, May 15, 2026 — 8:30 PM
Salle Pierre-Mendès-France · Musical tale Un Petit Prince by Coralie Fayolle followed by opéra-bouffe Monsieur Choufleuri restera chez lui le… by Jacques Offenbach.
Saturday, May 16, 2026 — 8:30 PM
Salle Pierre-Mendès-France · Musical tale Un Petit Prince by Coralie Fayolle followed by opéra-bouffe Monsieur Choufleuri restera chez lui le… by Jacques Offenbach.
Sunday, May 17, 2026 — 5:00 PM
Salle Pierre-Mendès-France · Musical tale Un Petit Prince by Coralie Fayolle followed by opéra-bouffe Monsieur Choufleuri restera chez lui le… by Jacques Offenbach.
Artistic Team: musical direction Pierre Ledru, staging Lys Nordet, choir director Delphine Cadet, professional soloists and a choir of about thirty amateur singers from Perche.
Highlights Opera in the Countryside 2026
- Four performances at the Salle Pierre-Mendès-France (Nogent-le-Rotrou)
- Double program: musical tale Un Petit Prince by Coralie Fayolle and opéra-bouffe Monsieur Choufleuri restera chez lui le… by Jacques Offenbach
- Musical direction by Pierre Ledru, staging by Lys Nordet
- About thirty amateur choristers from Perche alongside professional soloists
- Duration approximately 2h15 with intermission and bar
- Opportunity to chat with the artists after the show
Prices Opera in the Countryside 2026
Practical information — Opera in the Countryside
Practical Information
Access
By car: Nogent-le-Rotrou is accessible via the N23 from Chartres (65 km) or the D955 from Le Mans (70 km).
By train: Nogent-le-Rotrou SNCF station (Paris-Montparnasse line via Chartres).
Contact
Association Opéra en Campagne
Phone: 02 37 29 68 68
Email: [email protected]
Website: opera-en-campagne.com
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Where does it take place — Opera in the Countryside
Salle Pierre-Mendès-France
Salle Pierre-Mendès-France, 3 Avenue Camille Gaté, 28400 Nogent-le-Rotrou, 28400 Nogent-le-Rotrou