Music

Banlieues Bleues
March 9 - April 7
For one month, the Seine-Saint-Denis suburb grooves to a soulful beat during the annual Banlieues Bleues festival. Eighteen towns in the department will play host to 35 concerts: Everything from contemporary jazz to gospel and blues—35 good reasons to venture north of the périphérique.
Various venues, see www.banlieuesbleues.org for details

Padmâvatî
March 14 – 24
Well-known for his Bollywood musicals, Indian film director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is at the helm of this new production of Albert Roussel’s Orientalist opera. Inspired by a local tale he heard whilst voyaging in India and Sri Lanka in 1909, Alauddin, sultan of the Mogul, demands the hand of the wife of his ally, the Prince of Chitoor, and high drama ensues. €10-120.

Veronique
January 21 - 31 (various dates)
Fans of French conductor and composer André Messager can indulge in some continued festive froth with Benoît Duteurtre’s adaptation of his popular operetta. Following actress Fanny Ardent’s idea, the setting has been changed to 1953, in line with Messager’s original dating of the action 50 years back in time. €10-120.
Théâtre du Châtelet, 1, place du Châtelet, Paris 1. Mº Châtelet. 01 40 28 28 40. www.chatelet-theatre.com

Cardillac
January 29 - February 16 (various dates)
One of the neglected 20th century operas that have been revived by Opéra de Paris’s director, Gérard Mortier, Cardillac tells the grim tale of a tormented goldsmith who murders every buyer of his handiwork in order to get back his prized jewellery. André Engel’s successful 2005 production returns with Franz Grudherber in the lead role. €5-130.

Festival Ile de France
September 7 - October 14
Taking Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I have a dream” speech as a starting point, this wide-ranging festival brings acts from around the world together under themes as diverse as “Cinderella,” “A Train for the Far East.” and “Louisiana Carnival.” The concerts will take place throughout the Ile-de-France region in various beautiful locations, including ancient abbeys and churches. It’s a fantastic excuse to get out of the city and explore the surrounding area. €5-25.
Various locations. 01 58 71 01 01. www.fidf.fr

Ariane et Barbe-bleue
September 13 - October 6 (various dates)

Erik Truffaz
April 20
A French trumpeter signed to the prestigious Blue Note record label, Erik Truffaz mixes a style evocative of Miles Davis with ‘drum ’n bass’ and other genres to create unique and accessible modern jazz. He is accompanied by Patrick Muller (piano), Marcello Guiliani (double bass), Marc Erbetta (drums), Ed Harcourt and Nya (vocals). 8pm. €30.
Salle Pleyel, 252, rue du faubourg Saint Honoré, Paris 8. M° Ternes/Charles de Gaulle Etoile. 01 42 56 13 13. www.sallepleyel.fr

Ensemble intercontemporain
April 25
Conducted by Susanna Mälkki, the Ensemble intercontemporain will perform extracts from the work of Luciano Berio, an Italian experimental composer whose music deeply engaged with literature, politics, and the broader world of critical theory in the second half of the 20th century. 8pm. €22.