The Paris Opera and its Academy are founding the first French young lyric orchestra. In partnership with eleven Paris and Seine-Saint-Denis conservatoires, ADO (Apprentissage De l’Orchestre - Learning the Orchestra) programme wishes to encourage students from 12 to 18 to develop their musical training and discover the opera and ballet repertoires. These 150 students will benefit from workshops and internships throughout the school year and will have the opportunity to perform a concert on the Bastille Opera’s main stage.

In addition to musical training taught in conservatoires, ADO allows young musicians to discover the lyric repertoire through weekly work sessions at the conservatoires, rehearsals at the Paris Opera and collective singing and dance workshops held one Saturday a month. Students will also gather for several intensive 3-day courses during the school holidays at the Bastille Opera to prepare their concert programme, organised on 16 June 2024 on the main stage of the Bastille Opera. The orchestra’s rehearsals and the concert will be conducted by Victor Jacob, principal conductor of the ADO orchestras.

“Training the artists of tomorrow is at the heart of the Paris Opera’s missions, declares Paris Opera Director Alexander Neef. This free programme is a further step towards helping young musicians to become professional musicians. We are also proud to share with them the specificities of our repertoire and invite them to discover our two venues.”

While following the ADO programme, the students will enjoy visits of the Paris Opera’s theatres, attend performances and meet professionals.

“Experiencing the stage and having the opportunity to meet professionals are powerful leverages when adolescents are growing up and building themselves. It can spark new vocations, reminds us Myriam Mazouzi, Director of the Academy. The Paris Opera’s future is a challenge for today, and that's what the ADO programme is all about.”

The ADO programme was made possible thanks to the pioneer support of Rolex, Watches of the Paris Opera, Aline Foriel-Destezet, Main sponsor of the 2023/24 season, and Flavia and Barden Gale. The Terrévent Foundation and the Academy Circle also brought generous support to the programme.