The Harris Theater’s Parisian Adventure

Harris Theater Supporters and Members of the American Friends of the Paris Opéra & Ballet in front of the Élysée Palace

In anticipation of the Paris Opéra Ballet’s first-ever visit to Chicago, 30 of the Harris Theater’s friends and supporters traveled to Paris in September 2011 for a whirlwind five-day visit to the ‘City of Lights’ to experience the Ballet in its iconic home.


Joining a group of another 30 American supporters of the Paris Opéra and Ballet, the Harris Theater guests were treated to behind-the-scenes glimpses of the Ballet at work and a week of performances, including two ballets: Alexei Ratmansky’s Psyché set to music by César Franck and a revival of Serge Lifar’s Phedre, music by Georges Auric with sets and costumes by Jean Cocteau. Guests also had the opportunity to take in a concert-version of Gounod’s Faust and a full production of Strauss’s Salomé at the Paris Opéra — Bastille.

Harris Theater Executive Vice-Chair David Blowers and his wife, Luann, chaired the trip on behalf of the Harris Theater. “Our journey to Paris enabled us to experience the best of Parisian culture and, importantly, build excitement for the Ballet’s visit to Chicago.  We are returning to Chicago with 30 cultural ambassadors for the Theater and this important project of bringing the Paris Opéra Ballet to Chicago for the first time in its storied history.”

SEE PHOTOS of the Paris Trip!

Additional trip highlights included:

  • A reception hosted by Ambassador Charles Rivkin and his wife, Susan Tolson, at the residence of the US Ambassador to France, a 19th century mansion and garden that was formerly a home of the Rothschild family.
  • A private backstage tour of the Palais Garnier, the home of the Paris Opéra Ballet, which is the setting for Gaston Leroux’s 1911 novel The Phantom of the Opera and the novel’s adaptation in Andrew Lloyd Weber’s popular 1986 musical.
  • Viewing of a company class in the Palais Garnier
  • Reception at the Elysée Palace, the residence of the President and First Lady of France
  • Reception at the French Ministry of Culture hosted by Frederic Mitterrand, Minister of Culture

The trip also enabled Harris Theater supporters to share the mission of the Harris and explain the work that the Theater is doing to elevate music and dance in Chicago with fellow American travelers and cultural leaders in Paris.  “Everyone was extremely enthusiastic; new friendships were formed, and we are eagerly anticipating the Ballet’s arrival here next June,” said Harris Theater Board Chair, Abby McCormick O’Neil. 

The trip raised a total of $30,000 to support the Theater’s presentation of the Ballet next June.


(All photos courtesy of Ken Norgan)

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