IN PICTURES – Backstage, stage, costumes: visits to the Rouen Opera, to discover behind the scenes

How do you build the opera set? Carmen, by Georges Bizet? How are opera singers’ costumes made, where does the orchestra rehearse? All these questions, the teams from the Rouen Normandy Opera were able to respond Saturday May 4 afternoon. As part of the “Tous à l’Opéra” event, which ends on Sunday May 5, several visits to the arts theater were organizedto discover the hall, the backstage, the basement of the opera.

Systems are positioned on the ceiling which allow the numerous decorations of the works presented to be hung. © Radio France –
Marie Martirossian

What to put stars IN the eyes of visitors who came to attend these guided tourslike Océane: “The atmosphere, the atmosphere on stage, it’s incredible, it’s as if we were there, we put ourselves in the place of the singers!“

The sets are often reused between theaters in different cities, for the same operas. © Radio France –
Marie Martirossian

Several hundred people work on an opera

As he steps onto the stage, visitors discover all the behind the scenes, the pulleys on the ceiling, where the sets are hung, but also the basement and its massive elevator which allows certain large objects to be brought up. When we add singers and musicians, the machine must be perfectly oiled, Coralie noted: “It’s impressive to think that there are very few dress rehearsals, only a few days before the premiere!“

It is from the 9th floor of the Rouen Opera that the technicians manage the lights which illuminate the stage. © Radio France –
Marie Martirossian

Between the technicians who adjust the lights, but also the makeup, the reception of the public, sometimes up to 300 people can work on a single opera, with professions that we don’t always know. “I discovered the profession of costume designer, which is the person who retouches the costumes of the characters in the opera, according to their body shapes. It’s very detailed work and it looks fascinating!“, smiled Pam.

Besides, did you know that? It would be difficult if not impossible to dry-clean all the opera costumes after each night of performance. So costume designers have a technique: clean costumes with a mixture of water and vodka, to disinfect them and neutralize odors, without using a washing machine… Practical, right?

The work of the costume designers is essential to ensure that each costume fits the singers perfectly, and that they can remove them quickly! © Radio France –
Marie Martirossian

The objective of this event is above all to introduce the public to opera, its many professions and to show that “It’s a very accessible art in truth. We sometimes have in mind an image of opera as being expensive, for the elites, but that is not the case: it is an art which brings together theater, music, singing, sets, and which addresses themes that speak to us all“, estimated Erwan Vrinat, head of cultural development at the Rouen Normandy Opera. The shows offer tickets that can range from 10 to more than 60 euros.