Lhe date of signing the new agreement linking the Bordeaux Opera, the City, the State and the Region was not chosen at random. This Tuesday, November 12 was also the evening of the premiere of “Sentinelles” at the Grand-Théâtre, a “zero purchase” opera, created from costumes and recycled materials, whose score is signed by Clara Olivares, a 31-year-old woman. years old, and which only features female characters. In short, all the boxes were checked to extend the “Citizen Opera” project that the director, Emmanuel Hondré, has been carrying out since he took office in January 2022.
Covering the period which goes from 2024 (a year well underway, of course) to 2027, this new convention emphasizes the same four axes, detailed by the mayor, Pierre Hurmic: “The diversity of artistic approaches, with the welcome of artists in residence and the promotion of amateur practices. Diversification of audiences, by opening up to young people, beneficiaries of minimum social benefits and people with disabilities. Actions outside the walls, in places such as the Grand-Parc village hall or towns outside Bordeaux. Eco-responsible approaches, aimed at reducing energy consumption, or having zero-purchase production every year. »
32 million euros
All this, with constant financial resources. The City’s subsidy will be around 17 million euros. That of the State, 4.8 million. That of the Region, 1.3 million. For a total budget of around 32 million. There was no question of a commitment from the Metropolis, although the president of the Regional Chamber of Accounts estimated that “the Opera seems to meet the criteria set by the Metropolis itself” for a transfer.
“Our sidesteps in recent years have paid off. Participatory operas or concerts for babies initially surprised before being accepted by the public”
And this financial situation can be looked at from a bottle half empty or half full perspective. Subsidies are not decreasing, in a context of generalized budgetary tensions, but they are not increasing (that of the City has been at the same level since 2014) while inflation slipped after the start of the war in Ukraine and, with her, energy costs. In a Grand Théâtre, in particular, which is renowned for being a thermal sieve.
“A lot of effort”
Last June, Emmanuel Hondré announced a “slight profit” at the end of the 2023 financial year, but at the cost of “tensions” linked to job freezes. He must now respond to the concerns of the musicians of the orchestra, of whom approximately one position in five is vacant. “I’m working on it,” he said, “in a context where we lack visibility. It would be sad if the world of culture was sacrificed even though we are making a lot of efforts. »
However, the number of admissions to the Grand-Théâtre and the Auditorium – around 230,000 per season – is stable. “Our side steps in recent years have paid off,” said Dimitri Boutleux, deputy for culture and president of the Opera. “Participatory operas or concerts for babies initially surprised people before being accepted by the public. Costume designers accept recycling for zero-purchase productions even more as they practice it in their private lives. This house is simply up to date with its time. » Even if this time is complicated.
