Opéra Comédie /Berlioz

Like the great capitals where majestic expression is given to classical music, Montpellier has two opera houses at which the Montpellier Occitania National Opera Orchestra perform. With 93 musicians and a choir of 31 singers, the company has a very wide repertoire that extends from baroque to contemporary music, and which can choose the best venue, depending on whether the programming is operatic or symphonic.

The Opéra Comédie, that stands on the square of the same name, is a superb Italian style theatre, with gild decorations and draperies; built in the 18th century, it did not take on its current appearance until the late 19th century, after being damaged several times by fire. After those in Paris and Bordeaux, it is the largest Italian style theatre in France..

A few hundred yards away, an immense ocean liner in pink granite steamer, the Corum, serves as both an opera house and a Convention centre. Designed by Claude Vasconi in the 1980s, the building stands like a belvedere at the entrance to the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle.

Inside the building, the city’s second opera house is more oriented to symphonic music, the Berlioz room, constructed in the same pink granite as the exterior façade, also has amovable ceiling for optimal acoustics.

More information on the Opera website