Classical Music in Paris – A Guide
Contents
A comprehensive guide to the best classical music concerts in Paris – including when and where to find them, and how to get tickets.
Introduction
Paris has a long and rich history with classical music, dating back to the early Baroque period. If you’re a fan of classical music, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it during your stay in Paris. Here’s a guide to some of the best options.
The Paris Opera is one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world, and it stages some of the most popular operas and ballets year-round. The opera house is located in the historic Palais Garnier, which is also worth a visit even if you’re not interested in attending a performance.
If you’re looking for something more low-key, you can check out one of the many classical music concerts that take place in churches and other venues around the city. These tend to be less expensive thanOpera tickets, and they’re a great way to experience classical music in a more intimate setting.
Finally, don’t forget to explore some of Paris’s amazing museums – many of them have excellent classical music sections with regular concerts and events. The Louvre, for example, has an excellent concert series that takes place in its beautiful Cour Carrée area.
A Brief History of Classical Music in Paris
Classical music has a long and storied history in Paris, with the city playing host to some of the genre’s most important composers and performers over the years.
The first popular classical music composer in Paris was Jean-Baptiste Lully, who led the French court orchestra in the late 17th century. Lully’s operas and ballets were hugely successful, and his influence can still be felt in much of French classical music today.
Other important early classical composers in Paris include Francois Couperin, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, and Sebastien de Brossard. The 18th century saw a golden age of classical music in Paris, with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Luigi Boccherini, and Johann Stamitz all spending time in the city.
The 19th century was a particularly fruitful period for classical music in Paris, with Composers such as Frederic Chopin, Georges Bizet, Camille Saint-Saens, Gabriel Faure, and Claude Debussy all making their mark on the genre. The 20th century saw a continuation of this trend, with Darius Milhaud, Francis Poulenc, Olivier Messiaen, and Pierre Boulez all becoming important figures in classical music.
Today, Paris is home to a number of world-renowned orchestras and concert halls, making it an essential destination for any lover of classical music.
The Best Places to Hear Classical Music in Paris
If you’re a fan of classical music, then you’re in luck – Paris is home to some of the best classical music venues in the world. From the world-famous Opera Garnier to the more intimate Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, there’s a venue to suit every taste. In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the best places to hear classical music in Paris.
The Paris Opera
The Paris Opera is one of the most famous places to hear classical music in Paris. It features some of the best orchestral and operatic performances in the city, and has a long and rich history. The Paris Opera was founded in 1669, and has been at its current location – the Palais Garnier – since 1875. The Opera is a must-visit for any classical music lover visiting Paris.
The Paris Philharmonic
The Paris Philharmonic, also known as the Orchestre de Paris, is one of the leading classical music groups in the city. They perform at the gorgeous Palais Garnier opera house, which is worth a visit even if you don’t catch a show. The Paris Philharmonic puts on around 50 concerts each season, and they offer a range of tickets so you can find something that fits your budget. If you’re feeling flush, you can even Splurge on a VIP package which includes a pre-concert cocktail reception and access to the best seats in the house.
The Louvre
The Louvre is one of the most famous museums in the world, and it’s also one of the best places to hear classical music in Paris. The museum has its own concert series called “Musée de la musique”, which features a different classical composer each month. The concerts are held in the museum’s auditorium, which has excellent acoustics. You can purchase tickets for the concerts online or at the box office.
Conclusion
There are many concert halls in Paris that offer a wide variety of classical music performances. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. This guide has provided a brief overview of some of the most popular classical music venues in the city, as well as a few tips on finding concert tickets.
No matter which concert hall you choose to visit, you are sure to enjoy an evening of beautiful music in one of the most romantic cities in the world.
