At the Opera Bastille, a highlight of the season will be a new Francesca Zambello production of Puccini's "Turandot," which had its premiere Monday.

Last season's popular "Marriage of Figaro" returns to the Opera Bastille next Thursday with Gerald Finley in the title role.

The frigid elegance of the new Opera Bastille, and the immanence of that whole mixed quartier of Paris viewed from the foyers, makes a memorable experience.

This year he will be busy restaging operas at the Opera Bastille in Paris, and preparing new works that include his own one-man "Hamlet."

La Juive (Opera Bastille, Paris)

For example, Bizet's "Carmen," directed by James Conlon, will be at the Opera Bastille on Feb. 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 23, 24 and 26.

Exterior of Opera Bastille.

In 1992, he conducted a production of Padmâvatî at the Opera Bastille.

Verdi's "Traviata," directed by Jonathan Miller, takes center stage at the Opera Bastille from June 19 to July 13.

Diaghilev also figures prominently in the Paris Opera Ballet summer season at the Opera Bastille.