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Opéra de Lyon
Remarkable sites and monuments
Last updated date : 25/06/2024
Topped by a majestic dome, the old theatre was restored by Jean Nouvel. He tripled the size of the building by digging out five levels beneath the surface and erecting six under the glass dome.
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Presentation of Lyon Opera House
It stands - singular and stately - opposite city hall in the heart of Lyon’s first district. It’s not a hard riddle: we’re obviously talking about the Lyon Opera House! It’s time to learn more about this majestic building to which all Greater Lyon residents feel deeply attached.
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Historic site and monument
Opéra de Lyon
Place de la Comédie - 69001 Lyon 1erThe Lyon Opera House, a majestic urban landmark
Before the Opera House, there was the Grand Théâtre, built back in 1756 by architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot, whose CV also includes the Panthéon, Saint-Geneviève church and Lyon’s Hôtel-Dieu no less! Following its renovation from 1827 to 1831 by architects Chenavard and Pollet, it took on its current name “Opéra”. But the Lyon Opera House has changed considerably since then to become the building it is today. New structural changes were orchestrated between November 1989 and 14 May 1993 by architect Jean Nouvel. He kept only the frontages and the public lobby, fully redesigning the venue’s structure to add a dome above and basement below. Nouvel’s redesign tripled the floor area by adding not only five basement floors but also a further six floors under the glass dome. The Lyon Opera House, which is equal parts monumental (glass half-cylinder) and minimalist (metal structure), is a landmark is the heart of the city centre.
The Lyon Opera team
The Lyon Opera has a full team… and then some! Between the Orchestra, Ballet, Choirs, and the rest of the team (technical, communication, security, administration, etc.), more than 350 people work every day at the Lyon Opera. Jobs in the spotlight or (on the contrary) backstage. They are also accompanied by a troupe of young trainee singers (Lyon Opéra Studio) and the La Maîtrise choir. La Maîtrise is the Lyon Opera’s children’s choir (plus a choir & stage school) managed by KL, which welcomes over a hundred children aged 7 and up. When not performing on the stage at the Lyon Opera House, the Orchestra travels from show to show worldwide. In 2017, the year that Daniele Rustioni was named musical director, the Orchestra even won two awards: the British press’s Opera Award for “Best Opera House” and the Opernwelt “Opera of the Year” prize. Richard Brunel, the Lyon Opera’s latest director, wants to make the opera house a venue with a global outlook, targeting an increasingly wide and eclectic audience.
The Lyon Opera’s commitments
The Lyon Opera House is a cultural venue that never rests on its laurels. It’s working hard to strengthen its brand, target all audiences, and address all sorts of contemporary issues. Ultimately, the Lyon Opera is admired as much for its commitment as it is for its modernity. The travelling opera heads out to perform in cities, districts, suburbs and rural communities across the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region. The Lyon Opera also puts on events for children.
Twice a year, as part of their modern languages curriculum, elementary school pupils learn about works of art and take part in artistic workshops, then put on an exhibition for parents and classmates alike. The Lyon Opera also does work in hospitals, prisons, etc. Below you’ll find a list of some of the many events put on by the Lyon Opera.
The Lyon Opera events
Featuring concerts, operas, and ballets, the Lyon Opera House’s programme is full and varied, and changes every year. Flagship events include the Festival Péristyle on summer evenings. Free concert follows free concert under the archways of the opera house. Festive and eclectic! The same is true of the other unmissable seasonal event: Opéra Underground. There’s plenty happening, including concerts, screenings, listening sessions, round tables, Q&As, etc. to promote world music. Every year, the Lyon Opera House organises a gala reception with profits going towards its social commitments and cultural activities.
Opéra de Lyon calendar
Visits and discovery tours
The wings of the Lyon National Opera
The Lyon Opera House
From 01/01/2024 To 31/12/2024
Live music & concerts
Il Turco in Italia
The Lyon Opera House
From 23/12/2024 To 29/12/2024
Live music & concerts
Madama Butterfly
The Lyon Opera House
From 22/01/2025 To 03/02/2025
Live music & concerts
La forza del destino
The Lyon Opera House
From 14/03/2025 To 02/04/2025
Live music & concerts
7 Minuti
The Lyon Opera House
From 15/03/2025 To 29/03/2025
Live music & concerts
Peter Grimes
The Lyon Opera House
From 09/05/2025 To 21/05/2025
Live music & concerts
Così fan tutte
The Lyon Opera House
From 14/06/2025 To 24/06/2025
Live music & concerts
Natalie Dessay and Philippe Cassard
The Lyon Opera House
From 06/04/2025 To 06/04/2025
Live music & concerts
Katia & Marielle Labèque
The Lyon Opera House
From 17/06/2025 To 17/06/2025
Live music & concerts
New Year’s Eve Concert
The Lyon Opera House
From 31/12/2024 To 31/12/2024
Live music & concerts
New Year’s Day Concert
The Lyon Opera House
From 01/01/2025 To 01/01/2025
Live music & concerts
Summer solstice
The Lyon Opera House
From 29/06/2025 To 29/06/2025
Live music & concerts
From operetta to French song
The Lyon Opera House
From 20/12/2024 To 21/12/2024
Live music & concerts
In the Same Key
The Lyon Opera House
From 01/02/2025 To 02/02/2025
Live music & concerts
The Soldier’s Story
The Lyon Opera House
From 05/04/2025 To 06/04/2025
Live music & concerts
Tribute to Kaija Saariaho
The Lyon Opera House
From 17/05/2025 To 18/05/2025
Shows
Last work
The Lyon Opera House
From 12/04/2025 To 17/04/2025
Shows
À l’infini
The Lyon Opera House
From 04/07/2025 To 09/07/2025
Live music & concerts
Lyon Opéra Studio’s Recital
The Lyon Opera House
From 02/02/2025 To 02/02/2025
Live music & concerts
Lyon Opéra Studio’s Recital
The Lyon Opera House
From 12/01/2025 To 12/01/2025
Live music & concerts
Lyon Opéra Studio’s Recital
The Lyon Opera House
From 16/02/2025 To 16/02/2025
Live music & concerts
Lyon Opéra Studio’s Recital
The Lyon Opera House
From 13/04/2025 To 13/04/2025
Live music & concerts
Lyon Opéra Studio’s Recital
The Lyon Opera House
From 18/05/2025 To 18/05/2025
Live music & concerts
La Cuisine Musicale
The Lyon Opera House
From 12/02/2025 To 15/02/2025
Live music & concerts
La Ferme des animaux
The Lyon Opera House
From 09/04/2025 To 12/04/2025
Live music & concerts
Rosa Lune
The Lyon Opera House
From 25/05/2025 To 25/05/2025
Tours and workshops
Backstage -Behind the scenes at the Opera - Open day
The Lyon Opera House
From 10/05/2025 To 10/05/2025
Visiting the Lyon Opera House
You can visit the Lyon Opera House (and not just to applaud the Orchestra or Ballet). To learn all its secrets, visits are organised (individual, group or family tours during the school holidays). “Backstage” days are organised several times a year (particularly on European Heritage Days) to learn about the different stages of the creative process and explore the venue’s many workspaces. Fancy a fresh angle to admire the Lyon Opera House from, or rather the unobstructed view across the Capital of the Gauls visible from the top of the building? Bar des Muses. Head up to seventh heaven, or rather the seventh floor, then pick a spot on the mythical balcony to sip on a cocktail. It’s almost as though these eight statues standing on the Lyon Opera House’s pediment are part of the team… in any case they add an undeniable je-ne-sais-quoi to the place.
GOING OUT
''Les Muses de l'Opéra"
How about getting a better view? Enjoy a drink with a unique view over Lyon at the Opera House’s “Les Muses” panoramic bar.