Photo : ©Orchestre Colonne
Awakening Concert "The Secrets of La Belle Hélène"
Forget dusty history books; Offenbach turns the legend of beautiful Helen into an irresistibly funny spectacle where legendary heroes finally let their guard down. It is the perfect chance to introduce children to the magic of operetta in a lively and lighthearted setting.
Salle Colonne (Paris 13th)
About
Experience the wit and charm of Offenbach with The Secrets of La Belle Hélène, a concert designed for young audiences at the Salle Colonne on January 30 and 31, 2027. Recommended for ages 4 and up, this performance explores the comedic side of the famous myth through the voices of soloists from the CRR de Paris and musicians from the Orchestre Colonne. This 45-minute production offers a lively introduction to operetta, highlighting how music enhances storytelling. Tickets are available for 20€, with a reduced rate of 10€, providing an accessible cultural outing in the heart of the 13th arrondissement.
Who was the famous Helen really? An irreproachable queen... or a heroine ready to make a whole kingdom waver?
In this awakening concert, young and old discover Offenbach's La Belle Hélène, a sparkling operetta where kings and heroes sometimes lose... all their seriousness!
Helen is bored in Sparta, Paris arrives with his irresistible charm, Menelaus tries to save appearances... but very quickly, everything spirals into a succession of situations as funny as they are unexpected.
Through the most famous arias, children will understand how music highlights characters, emphasizes exaggerations, and accompanies the twists and turns of the story. A lively and fun way to enter the world of operetta and discover that a myth can also become a comedy full of surprises.
Recommended from 4 years old
PROGRAM
OFFENBACH · La Belle Hélène
Duration: 45 minutes (no intermission)
CAST
Christophe GRAPPERON · Conductor
Florence GUIGNOLET · Stage Director
Soloists of the Superior Department for Young Singers of the CRR de Paris · Vocals
Soloists of the Colonne Orchestra
Vincent LEGOUPIL · Presenter
Our take on this event
On January 30 and 31, 2027, the Salle Colonne presents The Secrets of La Belle Hélène, an engaging concert-style performance directed by Christophe Grapperon with staging by Florence Guignolet. The program features selections from Offenbach’s operetta, depicting the humorous chaos that ensues when Helen of Sparta encounters the charming Paris. Through a series of well-known arias, the performance demonstrates how music underscores the exaggerated characters and unexpected twists of the plot, turning a classical myth into a vibrant comedy.
The event is tailored for children aged 4 and older, featuring soloists from the CRR de Paris and the Orchestre Colonne, with narration provided by Vincent Legoupil. The show lasts 45 minutes without an intermission, making it a perfect duration for young listeners to discover the world of operetta. Located at 94 boulevard Auguste Blanqui in Paris, the venue offers entry at 20€, or 10€ for those eligible for the reduced price.
