2010

DH & I are looking to attend a classical music concert in Eglise Saint-Ephrem at the end of September. We are wondering if it's advisable to purchase the tickets on-line now or wait until we get to Paris? Suggestions for a reliable website to order tickets. If we wait, where do we buy tickets - at the venue or a ticket outlet? Any idea about how long the concert is? How early do we need to arrive at Saint Ephrem to get seats near the front?

Thanks for any insights you can share with us!

Christina

There is no reason to buy in advance unless it is one of those tourist concerts like they give at Ste Chapelle. Even those, I doubt if you need to buy in advance.

I go to concerts or recitals in churches all the time in Paris that are sometimes free or maybe 10 euro, you can always buy tickets at the door. The one time it was actually almost full was a performance in the church of St Louis en Isle and a performance of Mozart's Requiem by the St Petersburg Philharmonic or something like that.

There are a lot in St Emphrem that cost about 23 euro. I don't know who is putting on all those, some are by candlelight so they may be aiming at a tourist market, but I suspect most tourists would not run across that venue and wouldn't want to go there, anyway (they want Ste Chapelle). And they have a lot of regular programs there, some are a little more unusual repertoire.

I really wouldn't bother getting tickets in advance, but if you want you can buy them online at www.classictic.com but they mark them up, of course, as it's a service (about 4 euro markup).
http://www.classictic.com/en/concert.../13585/201686/

indyhiker

I've been to several of these concerts, including ones at St. Emphrem, and have always just gotten them at the door. I don't remember them ever being sold out, but if you are particular about where you'd like to sit, I think you'd be safe arriving a half hour in advance of the concert. But I wouldn't otherwise worry about it.

It's a lovely way to spend an evening in Paris, so I hope you enjoy it.

denisea

If you want to purchase early, Classictic is a very easy to use site and we had no issues withe tickets we bought there.

2010

<b>Christina, indyhiker and denisea</b>:

Thanks for your helpful replies. Years & years ago on a hot July evening, we went to a concert in Ste Chappelle. I recall the beautiful venue & wonderful acoustics, the average performance and the stifling heat inside! We are really excited about the possibility of attending another concert this trip: beautiful music, in St Ephrem, on a cooler evening!

I also wondered about the 23 euro ticket price but that's not a deal breaker for us. Although on one website, it was shown as 27 euros.

St Ephrem is located in the neighbourhood where we will be renting an apartment. It will be easy enough for us to drop by for an evening concert. It's good to know that we should plan to arrive 30 minutes in advance.

Looking at the schedule, we are interested in one of two programs: Bach Suite for Violoncello Solo or Duets for Piano and Cello (Chopin, Rachmaninoff). Concert nights are Friday and Saturday. Are weekend performances typically more popular? I am wondering if it is, if we ought to buy tickets in advance through Classictic.

denisea

I would think weekend nights would be more popular. It sounds like you would just be more comfortable buying in advance....mark it off your list and know you have that taken care of. Nothing wrong with that...do what will make you feel the most comfortable. I don't see a downside to purchasing tickets, in advance.

2010

Hi Denise:

Thanks for the nudge to get tickets in advance. I like that I can mark it off my list and know that it's taken care of!

Now I can move onto my list of bakeries & chocolate shops!

denisea

I totally understand - I am a planner and like to "check the box". I never want to risk missing out on something I really want to do/see.

now work on finding the best pain au chocolat in Paris!