What Opéra-Comique does

Opéra-Comique (Théâtre national de l'Opéra-Comique) is a French public cultural institution founded in 1714 and located at Place Boieldieu in Paris's 2nd arrondissement. Designated as a national theatre and operating under the supervision of the French Ministry of Culture with co-funding from the Ville de Paris, the institution produces and presents opera, concerts, and recitals focused on French repertoire and the opéra comique genre. Its core activities center on live performance at the historic Salle Favart — currently undergoing modernization — with the 2026-2027 season programmed for 109 performances across Paris, Île-de-France, and touring venues including the Grand Palais, Musée d'Orsay, and Foyer du théâtre.

The institution operates an integrated portfolio spanning artistic programming, artist training, audience development, and production distribution. Artistic output includes opera productions, recitals, concerts, youth and family programming, and educational workshops. Two flagship training programs, the Maîtrise Populaire (supporting 120 young people aged 8 to 25) and the Académie de l'Opéra-Comique, develop the next generation of French opera professionals. The institution monetizes production assets through a rental programme licensing 30+ catalogued productions to international theatres and festivals. Accessibility services include audio description, French Sign Language content, relaxation sessions, and tactile introductions.

Revenue is generated through multiple streams: ticket sales (€6 to €150), season subscriptions and discount cards (Favart Card at €30, Family Card at €20), individual philanthropy via the Cercle Favart patronage tiers (€250 to €5,000+ with major donor circle from €10,000), corporate partnerships and venue privatizations, US-based fundraising through American Friends of Opéra-Comique, and public subsidies from the Ministry of Culture and Ville de Paris. Distribution combines the billetterie online platform, physical box office, touring performances, broadcast partnerships with ARTE and France Musique, and dedicated business development for corporate accounts. Leadership is provided by Director Louis Langrée (appointed November 2021 for a 5-year mandate), with Stéphane Richard chairing the Board of Directors.

Name

Opéra-Comique

Legal name

Opéra-Comique

Website

https://opera-comique.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1714

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Opéra-Comique is France's national opera house in Paris, founded in 1714 and supervised by the Ministry of Culture. It presents French opera and opéra comique repertoire through live performances, runs youth training programs (Maîtrise Populaire and Académie), licenses 30+ productions internationally, and funds operations via tickets, subscriptions, patronage, corporate events, and state subsidies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Opera and Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Musical Groups and Artists (711130)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Opera & Operetta (MPAGABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB), Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN)

Keywords

• Live opera performances
• Lyric theatre productions
• Performing arts education
• Production rental services
• Patronage memberships

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Individual and group ticket sales for opera performances, concerts, and recitals at the Salle Favart, Foyer, and touring venues. Prices range from €6 to €150 depending on show and seating category.
2. Subscriptions and Memberships: Season subscriptions (abonnements), patron cards (Cercle Favart), family cards (Carte Famille), and discount cards (Favart Card) offering priority booking and discounts on tickets.
3. Individual Philanthropy (Mécénat): Donations from individual patrons at various levels (Mignon €250, Pelléas €1000, Lakmé €2500, Manon €5000) with tax benefits (66% income tax deduction, 75% IFI deduction). Cercle Favart major donor circle from €10,000.
4. Corporate Partnerships and Privatizations: Business sponsorship, event privatization, and corporate hire of theatre spaces for galas, conferences, and private events.
5. Rental of Productions: Catalogue of 30+ opera productions available for rent to other theatres and festivals worldwide, including sets, props, and technical documentation.
6. American Friends of Opéra-Comique: US-based fundraising arm supporting the institution with tax-deductible donations for American donors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Opéra-Comique produces and stages live opera and lyric theatre performances from its historic Salle Favart venue in Paris, drawing on French opéra comique and classical lyric repertoire. Beyond performances, it operates an educational and training ecosystem (Maîtrise Populaire youth choir and Académie for emerging singers), licenses a catalogue of more than 30 productions to international opera houses, and offers subscription, patronage, and corporate partnership programs. The institution also rents its theatre spaces for corporate events and privatisations.

Product overview

Opéra-Comique is France's national opera house located at Place Boieldieu in Paris, operating primarily from the historic Salle Favart. The institution offers a diverse portfolio centered on live opera performances and lyrical productions, while extending its reach through educational initiatives (Maîtrise Populaire youth choir and Académie de l'Opéra-Comique for emerging artists), rental programs allowing other theaters to stage its productions, and membership programs (Cercle Favart patronage, Favart Card, and Family Card) providing various tiers of access and discounts. Additional services include venue tours and corporate event privatization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cercle Favart: Patronage circle for donors offering exclusive access to rehearsals, events, and performances
• Académie de l'Opéra-Comique
• Maîtrise Populaire
• Campus Favart

Products and services

• Opera Performances Live opera and lyric theatre productions staged at the historic Salle Favart in Paris, including French opéra comique and classical works by composers such as Mozart, Bizet, and Offenbach, plus contemporary creations. Performances are presented in French with surtitles in English and French.
• Productions for Rent Rental program allowing international opera houses, theatres, and festivals to license Opéra-Comique productions including sets, costumes, props, and technical documentation. Catalogue includes 30+ productions such as Carmen, Fantasio, L'Heure espagnole, Orphée et Eurydice, and others.

Quantifiable outcome

• 29,035 physical spectators served in 2021 despite COVID restrictions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, strategic and minor.

• The Juilliard School Marcus Institute for Vocal ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Two-year international program of educational and cultural exchange including masterclasses, coaching sessions, and joint concerts between Paris and New York. Launched March 2026 with masterclass by Louis Langrée at Villa Albertine, New York. Inaugural exchange residency May 2026 with recitals at Salle Favart and Juilliard.
• Villa AlbertinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Cultural institution facilitating the partnership with Juilliard School. Hosted masterclass with Louis Langrée at Payne Whitney Mansion, New York, in March 2026.
• Atelier Lyrique de TourcoingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2023Co-production partner for Zémire et Azor (2023), with revival performances in Tourcoing in February 2024. Ongoing collaborative relationship for production development and artistic exchange.
• LesagemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor patron of the comedy-ballet Zémire et Azor. Maison Lesage - haute couture embroidery house contributing costume design for productions.
• ARTEstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropean cultural TV channel broadcasting opera performances and cultural programming. Broadcast partner for productions including Pulcinella & L'Heure espagnole (March 2024).
• France Musique (Radio France)strategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench classical music radio station, part of Radio France. Media partner for productions including Armide (2024).
• TéléramaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench weekly magazine covering culture and arts. Media partner for Armide production (2024).
• INA (Institut national de l'audiovisuel)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench national audiovisual institute. Broadcast partner for La Fille de Madame Angot production.
• Palazzetto Bru Zane - Centre de musique romantique françaisestrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenetian center dedicated to French Romantic music. Co-production partner for La Fille de Madame Angot (2023).
• TransfugeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench magazine focused on music and entertainment industry. Media partner for Armide production (2024).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/opera_comique
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/wwwoperacomique
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Op%C3%A9ra-Comique-Page-officielle/128204113903577
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theatre-national-opera-comique
• Instagraminstagram.com/opera_comique

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Opéra-Comique