National Opera of Bordeaux

What National Opera of Bordeaux does

Opéra National de Bordeaux is a French national opera house and performing arts institution based in Bordeaux, operating since 1780 as a Régie Personnalisée under the French Ministry of Culture. The institution operates two principal venues: the historic 18th-century Grand-Théâtre designed by Victor Louis, and the modern Auditorium, opened in January 2013 with 1,440 seats and what is described as the largest orchestra pit in Europe, featuring acoustics by Eckhard Kahle. Its programming spans opera, ballet (via the resident Ballet de l'Opéra National de Bordeaux under Director Éric Quilleré since 2017), symphonic concerts (Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine), choral works (Chœur de l'Opéra National de Bordeaux under Salvatore Caputo), chamber music, and dedicated family/youth programming.

The institution's technology footprint is modest: a Drupal-based website integrated with a third-party ticketing platform (Notre Billetterie) and Paybox for secure payment processing. There is no public-facing API, mobile application, or proprietary software product. The technology layer is utility-grade, supporting ticketing, CRM, and content distribution but not a competitive differentiation point.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across individual ticket sales (€10-50 per ticket, €8 last-minute), multi-tier season subscriptions (Abonnement Carte Blanche, Abonnement Jeune at €10/show for 16-28 year olds, Abonnement en Famille), group sales for schools/associations/CSEs, private venue rentals, corporate patronage (Club Opéra, Mécénat), donations (Billets Solidaires), and guided tours (€5-8). The organization serves general arts enthusiasts, families, young adults aged 16-28, people with disabilities, socially disadvantaged audiences, and educational institutions. Primary funding comes from public subsidies (Ville de Bordeaux, Ministère de la Culture, Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Métropole de Bordeaux) supplemented by earned revenue and patronage, with no private equity, venture capital, or individual ownership structure.

Name

National Opera of Bordeaux

Legal name

Opéra National de Bordeaux

Website

https://opera-bordeaux.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1780

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Opéra National de Bordeaux is a French public cultural institution operating two venues — the 18th-century Grand-Théâtre and the 1,440-seat Auditorium — delivering opera, ballet, symphonic concerts, and educational outreach to the Bordeaux metropolitan area and Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Institution

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Classical Ballet (Full-Length & Repertoire) (MPAGADAA), Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC), Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama) (MPAGABAH), Touring Theatre Productions (MPAGABAC)

Keywords

• Performing arts institution
• Opera productions
• Ballet performances
• Orchestral concerts
• Cultural venue operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Bordeaux

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Individual and subscription ticket sales for opera, dance, symphonic, and chamber music performances at Grand-Théâtre and Auditorium
2. Donations & Solidarity Tickets: Donation program (Billets Solidaires) supporting access to performances for broader public
3. Corporate Partnerships & Mécénat: Club Opéra for individuals and enterprises, sponsorship arrangements with artistic and media partners
4. Event Spaces Rental: Private events and receptions in Grand-Théâtre spaces for corporate and private clients

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Opéra National de Bordeaux produces and presents live performing arts — opera, ballet, orchestral, chamber, and choral concerts — across two venues: the historic Grand-Théâtre and the 1,440-seat Auditorium. It sells individual tickets, season subscriptions, group bookings, venue tours, accessibility services, private event rentals, educational outreach, and on-site catering to general audiences, families, youth, schools, and cultural patrons in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and beyond.

Product overview

Opéra National de Bordeaux operates as a dual-venue performing arts institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of live entertainment products centered around its two performance spaces: the historic Grand-Théâtre (18th-century) and the modern Auditorium (opened 2013, 1,440 seats). The core offerings include opera productions, ballet/dance performances by its resident company Ballet de l'Opéra National de Bordeaux, and orchestral concerts by Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine. Supporting products include chamber music series, family/youth programming, and cultural mediation services. The institution provides service modules for season subscriptions (Abonnement Carte Blanche, Abonnement Jeune, Abonnement en Famille), individual ticket sales, guided venue tours, accessibility services (audio descriptions, sensory tours, relaxed performances), and on-site catering (Le Comptoir de l'Opéra). An extensive outreach program (Hors les murs) extends performances beyond the main venues to partner locations throughout the region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Opera Performances Full-scale opera productions featuring professional singers, orchestra, and chorus, presented at the Grand-Théâtre in traditional and contemporary productions for general audiences.
• Ballet and Dance Performances Dance and ballet productions by the resident Ballet de l'Opéra National de Bordeaux under Director Éric Quilleré, featuring classical ballet, contemporary dance, and choreographic premieres at the Grand-Théâtre.
• Orchestral Concerts (Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine) Symphonic and orchestral concerts performed by the resident Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, including subscription series, family concerts, and special programming at the Grand-Théâtre and Auditorium.
• Chamber Music Smaller-ensemble chamber music performances, including Sunday Concerts (Concert du dimanche) and midday musical programs (Midis Musicaux) at the Auditorium.
• Choral Performances (Chœur de l'Opéra National de Bordeaux) Performances by the resident Chœur de l'Opéra National de Bordeaux under Chorus Director Salvatore Caputo, including opera excerpts, oratorios, and special choral programs.
• Family and Youth Programming (Jeune Public) Age-appropriate performances for young audiences and families, including participatory operas (Chantons...), baby concerts, themed visits, and educational workshops.
• Season Subscriptions (Abonnements) Annual multi-show subscription packages offering discounted access to performances: Abonnement Carte Blanche, Abonnement Jeune (16–28 years), and Abonnement en Famille.
• Ticket Sales (Billetterie) Online and in-person ticket purchasing through opera-bordeaux.com and Notre Billetterie, with ticket office at the Grand-Théâtre, supporting individual tickets, group bookings, and season subscriptions.
• Cultural Mediation and Education Programs Educational outreach including school visits, workshops, introductory conferences, post-show discussions, and community engagement initiatives making opera accessible to diverse audiences.
• Accessibility Services Inclusive programs including audio descriptions for visually impaired audiences, sensory and tactile tours, French Sign Language tours, Relaxed Performances (Séances Détente) for neurodivergent audiences, and accessible seating.
• Guided Venue Tours Guided tours of the Grand-Théâtre and Auditorium offering thematic visits, baby tours, treasure hunts, storytelling tours, backstage access, and architectural exploration.
• Le Comptoir de l'Opéra (On-site Catering) On-site catering service offering bio and local products at the Grand-Théâtre and Auditorium, open before performances and during intermissions.
• Tours / Hors les murs (Off-site Touring Productions) Off-site touring productions bringing the Opéra National de Bordeaux programming to partner venues across the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and international locations.
• Private Event Venue Rental Rental of Grand-Théâtre spaces for corporate and private events and receptions, including VIP experiences and corporate hospitality offerings.
• Club Opéra (Individuals and Enterprises) Membership program for individuals and enterprises providing patronage opportunities, exclusive events, and engagement experiences with the institution.

Quantifiable outcome

• Séances Détente program awarded 2023 prize by Bordeaux Terre de Solidarités for inclusive accessibility

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Ville de BordeauxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Bordeaux - primary public funding partner and venue provider (Grand-Théâtre). Committed partner in cultural development of the metropolitan area.
• Ministère de la CulturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Ministry of Culture - national funding and regulatory oversight for Opéra National de Bordeaux
• Région Nouvelle-AquitainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council funding partner supporting performances and educational outreach in Nouvelle-Aquitaine region
• Métropole de BordeauxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBordeaux Métropole urban community partner for cultural events and urban accessibility
• CIC Sud OuestmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounding patron (Mécène Fondateur) of Opéra hors les murs outreach program
• Réunion des Opéras de France (ROF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network of French opera houses for co-productions and artistic exchange
• Association Française des Orchestres (AFO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association for French orchestras including Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
• Philharmonie de ParisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership for public development and mediation programs
• Opéra national de ParismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for dance and opera productions
• Office Artistique de la Région Aquitaine (O.A.R.A.)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional arts development agency supporting productions and artist residencies
• UNADEVmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor supporting audiodescription services for visually impaired audiences
• Culture Hors LimitesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation providing volunteer escorts for people with disabilities attending performances
• Radio Classique, France Musique, FIPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partners broadcasting performances and providing coverage
• France 3 Nouvelle-AquitaineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional TV broadcaster covering performances and cultural events
• La Villette - Micro-FoliesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected in 2026 to join Micro-Folies network bringing digital cultural content to territories
• Festival International des Arts de Bordeaux Métropole (FAB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual international arts festival with co-production and performance partnerships
• Acquisition and performance partnershipsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-productions with Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Opéra de Massy, Opéra de Reims, CCN Malandain Ballet Biarritz, CCN Ballet national du Rhin, and 30+ regional partners

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves1 record

Direct peers

• Opéra National de Paris: France's flagship national opera house; the institutional reference and active co-production partner of ONB, with both organizations designated 'Opéras Nationaux' under the French Ministry of Culture. Direct scale and governance analog.
• Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier: National opera-orchestra institution in a comparable French regional capital. Operates a combined opera + orchestra model under similar ministry oversight, with overlapping programming and civic-mission framing.
• Opéra de Lille: French national-scale opera house with a strong contemporary programming emphasis. Comparable in public-mission framing, resident artistic teams, and ticketing/season subscription mechanics.
• Théâtre des Champs-Élysées: Paris-based historic performance venue and active ONB co-production partner for opera and orchestral programming. Comparable venue dimension and shared repertoire development with ONB's Grand-Théâtre and Auditorium.
• Opéra National de Strasbourg: National opera company operating on a similar French institutional framework with comparable resident artistic teams. Closely matched in public-subsidy structure and program design.
• Opéra de Lyon: Major French national-scale opera house operating a comparable dual-venue performance and resident-production model. Closest national peer by program mix (opera, ballet, symphonic), scale, and public-institution funding model.
• Opéra National du Capitole de Toulouse: Provincial French national opera house with resident opera, ballet and orchestra companies, operating under similar French public-institution framework. Closely comparable in mission, scale, and programming breadth.
• Opéra de Marseille: Large municipal opera house in another major French regional city. Directly comparable on season subscription model, performance cadence, and dual-venue operations on a public subsidy base.
• Opéra de Massy: Named co-production partner of ONB for opera productions. French regional opera institution with overlapping repertoire and similar institutional structure under Ministry of Culture oversight.

Broad incumbents

• Wiener Staatsoper: European national opera reference and scale benchmark. Larger and globally more prestigious, but a useful international analog for resident-company economics, repertory depth, and civic-mission operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/operadebordeaux
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/pageoperadebordeaux
• Facebookfacebook.com/operadebordeaux
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/operadebordeaux
• Instagraminstagram.com/operadebordeaux

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Opera of Bordeaux