Opéra de Massy — Lyric Season

The Opéra de Massy: Essonne's Grand Opera House

Inaugurated in 1993, the Opéra de Massy is one of the few opera houses in the Parisian suburbs to offer a high-level lyric program throughout the season. This Italian-style theater with 1,200 seats, featuring a main hall and a 300-seat auditorium, is designed to host opera, ballet, and symphonic concert productions under optimal conditions.

A Major Cultural Institution

Directed by Jack-Henri Soumère, the Opéra de Massy enjoys a national reputation that extends far beyond the borders of Essonne. Each season, the house co-produces operas with partner houses (Metz, Toulon, Vichy, Lausanne…) and invites major French and European dance companies. The Orchestre de l'Opéra de Massy, conducted by Constantin Rouits, is one of the most active pit orchestras in Île-de-France.

A Varied and Demanding Repertoire

The Opéra de Massy programs both the essential classics of the lyric repertoire — Verdi, Puccini, Bizet, Mozart, Donizetti — as well as lesser-known works and contemporary creations. Each season alternates major stage productions, singing recitals, orchestral concerts, and dance performances, offering an exceptional window into the richness of Western musical culture.

The 2024-2025 Season

The 2024-2025 season offered a high-quality program: Thomas's Hamlet, Offenbach's La Belle Hélène, Verdi's Il Trovatore, Mozart's La Clémence de Titus, and Dvořák's Rusalka in staged productions. The musical direction by Hervé Niquet, Opera Fuoco, Le Poème Harmonique, and Vincent Tavernier were critically acclaimed. Eight guest dance companies also enriched the choreographic program.

The 2025-2026 Season

The 2025-2026 season offers an equally ambitious program: Bizet's Les Pêcheurs de perles to open, Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor to close, Bernstein's Trouble in Tahiti, concerts by Les Arts Florissants, Janáček's Le Journal d'un disparu, and Puccini's La Bohème (April 9-12, 2026). In dance: Vivaldi – 4 Saisons dansées with the Concert de la Loge and Mourad Merzouki (December 2025), Witch Hunting by the company Par Terre/Anne Nguyen, Anima Obscura by Scapino Ballet Rotterdam. The comic opera Barbe Noire by Ambroise Divaret and a series of singing recitals complete this rich season.

Opera for All

The Opéra de Massy is strongly committed to the democratization of lyric art. Its educational outreach to schools in Essonne, its affordable prices for young people and families, its reduced-price preview performances, and its educational activities (open rehearsals, artist encounters) make it a leading cultural player for the entire Île-de-France region.