Here Are Some Cultural Highlights Coming to Paris Soon
The upcoming fall and winter Parisian cultural season is the prime time for visitors who love visual and performing arts. Paris is one of the cultural capitals of the world and each year it puts on a show for locals and visitors. There is no need to understand French to enjoy paintings and listen to music. However, drama can be a little daunting. But, if you love to attend plays, by all means, enjoy the scenery and the acting.
Along with the art being exhibited and performed, the buildings housing these shows and performances are worth exploring and admiring in their own right. The cultural opportunities in Paris are pretty much endless. But, here are a few highlights from the upcoming fall and winter Parisian cultural season.
Visual Arts
National Picasso Museum Paris (Musée National Picasso-Paris)
Picasso Masterpieces! is a new exhibit in the newly re-opened museum. Out of his extraordinarily prolific career, the museum investigates what it means to be a masterpiece. Some of the pieces are exhibited for the first time in Paris.
Musée d’Orsay
Picasso. Blue and Rose. In collaboration with the Picasso Museum, the Musée d’Orsay is exhibiting paintings, sculptures and drawings in a show of his work from 1900-1906. The works are arranged showing the artist’s development into the blue and rose periods. Extraordinary works from when Pablo Picasso was very young.
Orsay through the Eyes of Julian Schnabel. For its first show of contemporary art, the Musée d’Orsay chose Julian Schnabel to interpret the collection. The filmmaker and painter includes works from the museum’s collection and also presents some of his own paintings.
Grand Palais
Photo by Ron Clausen
Magnificent Venice!, Miró and Michael Jackson. The Grand Palais is staging exhibitions this fall and winter season that should entice people with a variety of tastes. Magnificent Venice! explores Europe and the arts in the 18th century. While, Miró displays nearly 150 works by the surrealist Spanish master, Joan Miró. Also, an exhibition on Michael Jackson subtitled, “On the Wall”. It explores the cultural impact of Michael Jackson. Who is in for some MJ?
Paris Photo. The annual international photography exhibition in the great hall of the Grand Palais. Most noteworthy works from well-known masters as well as up and coming stars are shown by galleries from all over the world. Get ready to be overwhelmed by photographs and see the magnificent glass ceiling.
Petit Palais
The City of Paris’ fine art museum has a few exhibitions that may attract a more focused group of admirers. Jean Jacques Lequeu (1757-1826) Builder of Fantasy, shows the complete collection of several hundred drawings by the artist, for the first time. Another show features the work of the Belgian artist, Fernad Khnopff (1858-1921) The Master of Enigma. Surprises await those who venture into the Petit Palais.
Louvre Museum
Under the pyramid in the Louvre, a contemporary art installation sure to blow you away. Kohei Nawa’s Throne, is a monumental gilded work combing modern technology and ancient symbols.
Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
Along with its permanent collection, visit this museum for the amazing building and shows on Zao Wou-Ki and Ron Amir. The huge rooms are just the place for these artists who produce over-size work. Zao Wou-Ki paints and draws huge images. And, this collection of Amir’s large format color photos provide insight into the living conditions of refugees from Sudan and Eritrea.
Performing Arts
Opéra National de Paris
Mid-September begins the opera season in Paris. Productions are being staged at the Opéra Basitlle and the Palais Garnier that include repertory works of Tristan und Isolde, La Traviata, and l’Elisir d’Amore. And, new productions this fall and winter include Les Huguenots, Bérénice, Il Primo Omicidio and Les Troyens. And, on December 30 and 31st, the Paris Opera will begin a celebration of its 350th year. Yes, 350th! The Paris Opera was begun by Louis XIV in 1669.
Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
Verdi’s La Traviata is the main opera production this fall. And, the beautiful theater which opened in with the performance of Nijinsky’s Rite of Spring. Imagine being there then! Chamber Orchestra of Paris also performs in this space with a variety of scheduled appearances. The theater also schedules vocal recitals, concert productions of operas, classic and contemporary dance and even Sunday Morning concerts!
Orchestre de Paris
photo © william beaucardet
The Paris Orchestra (Orchestra de Paris) performs symphonic works in its new home, the organic and innovative Philharmonie de Paris in the Parc de la Villette. Works by Beethoven, Britten, Berlioz and the rest of the alphabet of composers of grand music.
Palais Opera Ballet
Over at the Palais Garnier, dance lovers can visit the fabled opera house which is a venue for the Paris Opera Ballet. See Decadance, Tribute to Jerome Robbins, Cinderella and even an interesting succession of Goecke/Lidberg/Cherkaoui. This last is a work that displays dance and theater by three very different choreographers. No French language skills needed to enjoy the ballet.
Picasso Circus
Coinciding with Picasso. Blue and Rose and Picasso Masterpiece!, the Théâtre du Châtelet will present Picasso Circus in the Musée d’Orsay for people to learn about circus acts, meet performers and see demonstrations.
Théâtre de la Ville
Sambasô, Divine Dance is a riveting “ritual dance … performed by three generations of the Nomura family of actors who glorify and revolutionize the “kyôgen” tradition.” Stage design by the renown photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto. The Théâtre de la Ville is closed for renovations, but its events are being staged around town, and this one is in the Espace Cardin.
Comédie-Française
This acting troupe was formed by Louis XIV in 1680. They perform in several venues, but the luxe Salle Richelieu theater in the Palais Royal complex provides regal seating to watch dramatic performances. Tune your ear to French while watching the dramas of The Mistress of the Inn by Carlo Goldoni, Lucrezia Borgia by Victor Hugo, or Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
Others Worth Investigating
Of course – organ concerts in magnificent churches!
And, for even more performing art events, take a look at these:
Théâtre National de Chaillot which is the National Theater of Dance
