The Dijon Opera Choir, conducted by Anass Ismat since 2015, is a permanent ensemble of professional singers dedicated to performing major works from the operatic repertoire.
The choir performs at the Auditorium as part of the Opera’s season, as well as touring throughout the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, across France, and internationally, notably as part of co-productions with other opera houses. It also plays an important role in developing educational programs, outreach projects for people with limited access to the arts, and events promoting the Opera.
Since 2022, the Choir has continued to develop a project dedicated to promoting the choral repertoire in partnership with the Cité de la Voix, including masterclasses for young conductors in training. This season, the Choir will take part in two new opera productions and numerous concerts, both in Dijon and at venues across the region, working with local artists and ensembles including Les Traversées Baroques, the Orchestre Victor Hugo, the Orchestre Dijon Bourgogne, and Les Épopées.
Discover the biography of Anass Ismat Choir Director of the Dijon Opera
From the neonatal unit at Dijon Bourgogne University Hospital to nursery schools and care homes for older people, the Choir’s singers play an active role in outreach programs developed by the Dijon Opera’s teams.
With introductory workshops, pop-up concerts, and open rehearsals, the Choir offers a wide range of opportunities to connect, share, and experience music together.
In collaboration with the Opera’s corporate partners, the Chorus also performs at events promoting the season.
Photos © Mirco Magliocca / Roxanne Gauthier
Operas
La Cenerentola, Gioachino Rossini
Musical direction Nil Venditti
Directed by Mirabelle Ordinaire
Orchestre Dijon Bourgogne & Chœur de l’Opéra de Dijon
Opéra de Dijon, auditOrium
novembrer 4 –10
Ercole amante, Francesco Cavalli
Musical direction Leonardo García-Alarcón
Directed and choreographed by Raphaëlle Boitel
Cappella Mediterranea
Chœur de chambre de Namur & Chœur de l’Opéra de Dijon
Opéra de Dijon, auditOrium
may 11–14
Concerts
La Morte d’Orfeo, Stefano Landi
Les Traversées Baroques & Chœur de l’Opéra de Dijon
Musical direction Étienne Meyer
Opéra de Dijon, auditOrium
september 24
Orchestre Victor Hugo & Chœur de l’Opéra de Dijon | Lumières
Musical direction Jean-François Verdier
Soprano Yun Jung Choi
Opéra de Dijon, auditOrium
december 22
Les Épopées & Chœur de l’Opéra de Dijon | Requiem, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Musical direction Stéphane Fuget
Opéra de Dijon, auditOrium
january 19
Le Chœur Spirito & Chœur de l’Opéra de Dijon | MESSA !
Musical direction Thibaut Louppe
Opéra de Dijon, auditOrium
march 9
Autodafé, Maurice Ohana
Orchestre Dijon Bourgogne, Ensemble Musicatreize, Chœur de l’Opéra de Dijon & Chœur Éphémère de l’Opéra de Dijon
Musical direction Roland Hayrabedian
Choir directors Étienne Meyer, Guillaume Labois et deux étudiants de l’École Supérieure de musique Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Opéra de Dijon, auditOrium
june 12
Outreach
➔ Discover the Opera’s full outreach program
Musique en Ville | Ferveur romantique
Musical direction Denis Comtet
Organ Antoine Simon
september 13 · Salle de Flore du Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne, Dijon
Chansons et Berceuses
Musical direction Lucile de Trémiolles
Harp Virginie Tarrête
Works by Benjamin Britten, Gustav Holst, John Rutter
november 7 · La Minoterie
Orchestre Victor Hugo & Chœur de l’Opéra de Dijon | Lumières
The Orchestre Victor Hugo, the symphony orchestra of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, and the Dijon Opera Choir come together for a powerful and meditative concert, featuring masterpieces by Mozart, Poulenc, and Fauré.
december 17 · Théâtre Ledoux – Les 2 Scènes, Scène nationale de Besançon
Ercole amante | Francesco Cavalli
Concert version
Chœur de chambre de Namur & Chœur de l′Opéra de Dijon
Commissioned from Cavalli in the wake of Louis XIV’s marriage to the Infanta of Spain, Ercole amante benefited from the lavish resources of the French court. Cavalli thus transformed this tragedy of absolute power into a grandiose spectacle.
May 19, 2027 · La Cité Bleue – Genève
May 21, 2027 · Grand Manège – Namur Concert Hall
L’Échappée | Cabaret baroque
Ensemble Masques
Musical direction Olivier Fortin
soloists from the Dijon Opera Choir
In a truck converted into a performance venue, discover all the charms of Baroque music.
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region
march & july, 2027
➔ More information coming very soon
With the support of Prévalet Musique
For the 2026–2027 season, Prévalet Musique is partnering with the Dijon Opera and supporting the artistic work of the Dijon Opera Choir by providing a baby grand piano for its rehearsals. Through this support, Prévalet Musique directly contributes to the rehearsal conditions for the Choir’s artists and to the quality of their musical work.
OPERAS
Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci, Pietro Mascagni/Ruggero Leoncavallo
Musical Direction: Débora Waldman
Stage Direction: Silvia Paoli
Orchestre Dijon Bourgogne
Chorus of the Opéra de Dijon
Chorus of the Opéra Orchestre National de Montpellier
Maîtrise de Dijon
Opéra de Dijon, Auditorium
November 5 – 9
La Bohème, Giacomo Puccini
Musical Direction: Marta Gardolińska
Stage Direction: David Geselson
Orchestre Dijon Bourgogne
Chorus of the Opéra de Dijon
Chorus of the Opéra National de Nancy-Lorraine
Maîtrise de Dijon
Opéra de Dijon, Auditorium
March 11 – 17
Don Giovanni, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Musical Direction: Katharina Müllner
Stage Direction: Agnès Jaoui
Orchestre Dijon Bourgogne
Opéra de Dijon, Auditorium
April 19 – 25
CONCERTS
A Peggy Lee Story, Chœur de l’Opéra de Dijon & Tania Ivanov sextet
Musical Direction: Anass Ismat
Opéra de Dijon, Auditorium
May 12
L’Orfeo, Claudio Monteverdi
Musical Direction: Stéphane Fuget
Orchestre Les Épopées
Opéra de Dijon, Auditorium
June 11
Fête de la musique · Une Ode à l’Amour et à la Nature
Musical Direction: Joseph Bastian
Orchestre Dijon Bourgogne
Opéra de Dijon, Auditorium
June 21
TOURING PRODUCTIONS
Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci, Pietro Mascagni/Ruggero Leoncavallo
Montpellier, Corum | October 3 – 5
Opéra National de Nancy-Lorraine | December 14 – 23
Théâtre de Caen | February 8 – 12
Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg | February 25 – March 1
Opéra de Reims | March 27 – 29
Une Ode à l’Amour et à la Nature
Musical Direction: Joseph Bastian
Orchestre Dijon Bourgogne
Festival Musique & Vin Beaune | June 20
PROJECT
A Civic Choir
Artists from the Chorus actively participate in outreach projects organized by the Opéra de Dijon, including:
- Neonatology service at the Dijon Bourgogne University Hospital
- Preschools
- Residential care homes for the elderly
- Activities include discovery workshops, on-site concerts, and welcoming visitors to rehearsals—offering meaningful moments of encounter and knowledge sharing.
In collaboration with the Opéra’s partner companies, the Chorus also performs at events promoting the season.