Paris Opera

We attended last night a Paris Opera new production of Benvenutto Cellini.  It was amazing. During the overture which the orchestra played magnificently the house lights went back up partway and colored spotlights raked across the audience.  Then giant puppets pranced down the aisles to the stage and colored confetti fell from the ceiling. And that was only the beginning. The music and voices were terrific.  I also counted a fire-eater, contortionist, many tumblers and acrobats and a women on a circular trapeze. It was a spectacle. I had heard about the production last month before we started our trip but the website said it was already sold out.  There was a little asterisk that said same day standing room tickets for five euros might be available. I tucked that information away and when we arrived in Paris decided to go for it. We got to the box office about fifteen minutes before it opened.  I expected long lines for the 32 tickets available but there were only about 15 people there. I wasn’t sure I could stand for three and a half hours but we both made it. I’m so glad we did. It was a truly memorable evening.