National operas in the regions

  • Music

In addition to the Opéra national de Paris and the Théâtre national de l'Opéra-Comique, the State supports a network of opera houses in the regions, some of which have been awarded the label "Opéra national en région" or have been given the name "Théâtre lyrique d'intérêt national".


All these houses carry out a common mission consisting in making live and present to the public, throughout the territory, the lyrical and choreographic works of the repertoire and creation. They also regularly host independent musical ensembles that, through their aesthetic specializations, enrich the programming by proposing baroque or contemporary works. They also develop an arts and cultural education policy aimed at promoting access to programming for all audiences.

The label «national opera in the region»

Six of them have been awarded the label “opéra national en région” to date, mainly because of the internal artistic teams they have at their disposal (ballet, choir, orchestra) to develop their national and international influence through co-production:

  • the Lyon National Opera
  • the National Rhine Opera in Strasbourg
  • the Bordeaux National Opera 
  • 'Opéra national de Montpellier'
  • the National Opera of Lorraine in Nancy
  • the National Opera Capitole Toulouse

The name opera theatre of national interest 

Four of them benefit from the name «opera theatre of national interest» which aims to promote structures whose programme of artistic and cultural actions is of general interest for creation, the renewal the valorization and the democratization of this repertoire and its forms:

  • the Lille Opera
  • l'Opéra de Rouen/Normandie
  • the Opera de Tours
  • the Dijon Opera


The regional opera network offers on average about 1,750 performances each season for more than a million spectators.

 

List of opera houses in the region