Opéra en Plein Air

Opéra en Plein Air: Lyric Art Under the Starry Sky

Founded in 2001, the Opéra en Plein Air Festival was born from a simple and audacious ambition: to bring opera out of theaters and into majestic heritage settings, accessible to the greatest number. The idea is to expose the public—even those who have never set foot in an opera house—to the power and beauty of the lyrical repertoire, in staging conditions that enhance both the music and the venue.

Over the years, the festival has occupied sites of rare beauty: the Château des Invalides, the Château de Versailles, the Royal Courtyard of the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the Villa d'Este in Tivoli, and of course the Domaine départemental de Sceaux, one of the jewels of Île-de-France heritage.

The Domaine de Sceaux: A Dream Setting for Opera

The Domaine départemental de Sceaux, located at 8 avenue Claude Perrault, 92330 Sceaux, offers one of the most spectacular settings in Île-de-France for lyrical performances. With its château, its bodies of water, its vast lawns, and its alleys lined with century-old plane trees, the 181-hectare estate forms a strikingly beautiful natural and architectural jewel box.

The stage is set facing the château, along the perspective of the grand avenues, creating a unique natural staging: the audience, seated on the lawns or in tiered seating, contemplates both the lyrical performance and the beauty of the illuminated park. This nocturnal magic—opera under the stars, with the château as a backdrop—creates memorable evenings that have been the festival's reputation for over twenty years.

Ambitious Productions in Grand Spaces

The Opéra en Plein Air Festival does not offer simplified productions or gala concerts. Each edition is an opportunity to stage a true opera production, with sets, costumes, a renowned director, an orchestra, and professional choirs. Great works from the lyrical repertoire—Carmen, La Traviata, Aïda, The Barber of Seville, Madame Butterfly—are presented here in staging conditions worthy of their grandeur.

The Maîtrise des Hauts-de-Seine

The Maîtrise des Hauts-de-Seine, a choir of children's voices recognized on the French lyrical scene, is regularly associated with the festival's productions at the Domaine de Sceaux. This collaboration between national lyrical excellence and local young talent reinforces the festival's connection to its territory.