We know a lot about Edgar Degas, but a handful of people know that the painter was fascinated by the opera, enjoying this microcosmos gathering music and dance. At the Musée d’Orsay, Degas’ works at the Opera can be discovered for a fantastic exhibition.

From September 24, 2019 to January 19, 2020, the Parisian museum brings together a dozen of paintings and drawings by the impressionist artist. Throughout his career, Degas tries to do justice to the movement and life. He first turns towards Boulogne sur Seine, and the Baie de Somme, but very quickly, he will combine his passion for music and dance by immortalizing the life at the opera.

Thanks to his acquaintances, he explores the many public areas such as the amphitheater and the stage, as well as the dressing rooms, the dance studio and immortalizes all the players of this universe: dancers, singers, musicians, viewers. For over 40 years, the artist will paint the portrait of the Paris Opera in the 19^th century with iconic works such as La Loge, La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans and Le Foyer de la Danse.

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This exhibition is a school case: according to the Musée d’Orsay “this is the first exhibition to consider the Opera as a whole, examining not only Degas’ passionate relationship with the House and his musical tastes, but also the infinite resources of this marvelous ‘toolbox’. The work of a truly great artist offers us the portrait of the Paris Opera in the 19^th century”.

Besides these works, a wonderful model of the Paris Opera by Gianese Roman Studio from 1985, offering a longitudinal cut of the opera, covering 5.78 meters long and 2.4 meters high. It's breathtakingly beautiful and is accompanied by decor models of many operas and ballets including Faust, Aïda, La Source and even La Muette de Portici.

Degas appears like a pretext to proudly celebrate the 350th anniversary of Paris Opera since he has been one of the "reporters" of his time, immortalizing each step of a piece with the same passion, using it to make his art, painting, evolve.

As a complement, led in the collections and/or the exhibition, staged tours created by Paris National Ballet, concerts and meetings with directors, all you need to enjoy opera again and without any regret. We love it!