Bummer at the Ballet - Tuesday, 25 October

I was very excited to have snagged a €25 ticket for tonight’s sold-out dance program by the principal dancers of the Ballet de l’Opéra national de Paris at the Palais Garnier (the spectacularly ornate opera house in the 8th arrondissement, built in the 19th century). The choreography was by George Balanchine, the costumes by Karl Lagerfeld, the music by Tchaikovsky, Brahms/Schönberg, Ravel and Stravinsky (performed by the Orchestre de l’Opéra national de Paris and an on-stage piano soloist).

the view from my seat, before
tall guy and big-haired lady
arrived

I’ve sat in the front row of some of the side boxes before, but this time I was in the second row on a horribly uncomfortable taller-than-normal chair. A woman with big hair and a very tall gentleman were in front of me. Bottom line, I could see almost nothing and the chair was cutting off the circulation in my legs.

I survived up to the first intermission (there were two of them) and enjoyed the glimpses I saw of the dancing, but I just couldn’t handle that chair even to sit back and listen to the music. So I stayed in the lobby for the rest of the program and heard snippets of the music through the walls! I did have the restrooms all to myself, and enjoyed a nice glass of champagne in peace & quiet. And after the second intermission a very thoughtful usher offered to let me stand and watch the performance from just inside one of the balcony entrances, a location that would give me a great view, but I just didn’t think my legs would tolerate a long stationary stand. In retrospect, perhaps I should have tried!

The cheap seats (like mine!) were sold out by the time Barb bought her ticket, a balcony seat at the back of the house. She reported an only slightly obstructed view from her seat! So lesson learned: go for seats in the first row of any balcony box even if you have to shell out a few more euros.

The good news is that I discovered an easy way to get in and out of the opera house without having to climb any stairs!  Just enter/exit through the Restaurant l’Opéra that’s on the east side and ask to use the fabulous ornate mirrored private elevator that will whisk you up to the first level of the hall, from whence you can take the public elevators wherever else you need to go! (It helps to be carrying a cane!) Their menu looks decent, so you might even have a drink or bite before or after the show…you can bet that I’m going to add that to my to-do list. Here's a link:  http://www.opera-restaurant.fr/en/

You can also access this elevator by entering at the box office door on the west side of the building, and asking an employee to take you through the lower level, but the resto is more festive and friendly!

Just a few shots of the lobbies with their spectacular marble walls and statues....