The set of Don Carlos at Opéra National de Paris

Here we are at the Paris Opera—final week of Don Carlos rehearsals! Let me show you the stage…

As you know, I’m the king. Which means I get free rein and can show you around a bit while we’re on a break.
The set is enormous and, thankfully, very singer-friendly. We’re surrounded by wood panels and a floor that basically acts as a giant megaphone. 📣🙏
Horses seem to be following me from production to production. This one isn’t Drogen from San Francisco—this is someone else entirely. I don’t deal with him. Sadly I don’t have an entrance on a horse this time. 😉
And speaking of complicated relationships… shoutout to my friend Charles Castronovo. I play his father in this show—even though he’s technically older than me and already a grandpa. Opera logic.

Don Carlos opens next Saturday here at Opéra national de Paris — let the drama begin!

[wotan]

Thank you for the insights and tour! The only downside for me is that opera is mostly performed at the Bastille, just another concrete & glass building. The Garnier, on the other hand, now THAT’S an opera house! Do you and your colleagues wish you could sing there instead?