Cover Devialet x Opéra national de Paris pop-up at Wynn Palace Macau (Photo: courtesy of Devialet and Wynn Palace Macau)
Devialet x Opéra national de Paris pop-up at Wynn Palace Macau (Photo: courtesy of Devialet and Wynn Palace Macau)
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Want to experience the Opéra national de Paris in the comfort of your home? French audio technology company Devialet claims it can offer just that with 8 Devialet Phantom Ultimate
In mid-February, Tatler was invited to an “opera” unlike any other—not at the Palais Garnier in Paris, but at Wynn Palace Macau. We were ushered into an intimate red room with a minimalistic setup: a few velvet stools, a television screen and eight standing speakers encircling the audience. Once seated, the familiar strains of Bizet’s Habanera, the iconic aria from Carmen, filled the air. Almost instantly, we were enveloped by the dazzling voice of the leading lady, her melody interwoven with the chorus in rich harmonies that seemed to come from every direction, adding remarkable depth to the experience.
Of course, nothing can quite compare to the thrill of a live performance at the Palais Garnier. Yet, as the prima donna’s voice soared crystal clear through the room, accompanied by the multidirectional sound that surrounded us, one could almost imagine sitting in one of those gilded velvet chairs in Paris, swept up in the splendour of the opera house.
This immersive experience is the latest pop-up by French audio technology brand Devialet, created in collaboration with the Opéra national de Paris. Marking the second partnership between the two French icons in Asia—the first listening room was in Shenzhen—the installation runs at Wynn Palace Macau until May. Guests are invited to step into a world where centuries-old musical tradition meets contemporary audio mastery. Inside the eight-Phantom listening room, operas, concerts and visual productions from the Opéra national de Paris are streamed through a meticulously calibrated sound system that faithfully recreates the grandeur and acoustics of a live performance hall.
Above Devialet x Opéra national de Paris pop-up at Wynn Palace Macau (Photo: courtesy of Devialet and Wynn Palace Macau)
Devialet x Opéra national de Paris pop-up at Wynn Palace Macau (Photo: courtesy of Devialet and Wynn Palace Macau)
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This immersive pop-up represents far more than a luxury retail experience. It stands as a testament to a cultural and technological partnership that began in 2017, when Devialet and the Opéra national de Paris joined forces to celebrate the very essence of French excellence.
Martin Ku, Devialet’s APAC general manager, recalls that the collaboration gained new relevance when the opera house announced its temporary closure for renovations from 2027 to 2029. Not long after, the Covid-19 pandemic brought live performances across Europe to an abrupt halt. These moments prompted both Devialet and the Opéra team to consider new ways for audiences to experience music beyond the walls of the theatre. Devialet’s advanced sound systems emerged as the ideal conduit, allowing the magic of opera to be enjoyed from the comfort of home. As Ku explains, the partnership between the two French institutions was “born from shared values of passion, innovation, and deep roots in musical and historical heritage.”
For a brand like Devialet, which has built its reputation on delivering near-perfect sound reproduction, partnering with an institution that champions the unamplified human voice may seem paradoxical. Yet, both houses share the same aspiration: to preserve the emotional truth of music. Whereas the Opéra de Paris honours the purity of live, acoustic performance, Devialet strives to extend that experience beyond the walls of the theatre. Its speakers are not substitutes for live performance, but “sonic bridges”, connecting people around the world to the heart of Parisian culture.
The Phantom Ultimate Opéra de Paris edition embodies this ideal. Encased in a 22-carat gold leaf finish inspired by the gilded interiors of the Palais Garnier, the speaker reflects both the visual artistry and acoustic precision that define French craftsmanship. The model is technically identical to Devialet’s other flagships, but its aesthetic design represents the culmination of a shared philosophy. Engineers and designers worked hand in hand to achieve a synthesis of beauty and performance. The result is a sculptural object capable of projecting sound so detailed and dynamic that it feels almost alive—a fitting homage to the Opéra’s tradition of artistry.
Above Devialet x Opéra national de Paris pop-up at Wynn Palace Macau (Photo: courtesy of Devialet and Wynn Palace Macau)
Devialet x Opéra national de Paris pop-up at Wynn Palace Macau (Photo: courtesy of Devialet and Wynn Palace Macau)
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Ku observes that many in Asia have yet to encounter audio technology of such power and precision. Through the Opéra collaboration, Devialet provides “a perfect entry point for people to make an emotional connection with an historic French institution through sound.” For Devialet, the mission is not merely to sell speakers, but to democratise high art—to let anyone, anywhere, experience the emotional intensity of a live performance.
This vision resonates deeply in the Asia-Pacific region, where appreciation for luxury often lies in the fusion of craftsmanship and innovation. Devialet’s approach aligns perfectly with this sensibility. The company’s proprietary Analog Digital Hybrid amplification and Speaker Active Matching technologies ensure that the sound remains faithful to the artist’s intent, while their iconic design embodies elegance and precision. “True luxury,” as Ku puts it, “is about feeling, vibrating, being transported.” Each listening moment becomes an act of artistry in itself—a ritual of emotion and refinement that transcends mere ownership.
The partnership also has a philanthropic dimension. A portion of proceeds from the Opéra de Paris editions is donated to the institution’s creative commissions, supporting new works and artistic innovation. Eric Grebille, the deputy director of development at the Opéra national de Paris, describes the collaboration as “a true meeting of artistic excellence and technological innovation.” Beyond funding, it represents a modernisation of opera’s image, making it accessible to new audiences and restoring sound to a central place in contemporary life.
Above A live opera performance at the opening of Devialet x Opéra national de Paris pop-up at Wynn Palace Macau (Photo: courtesy of Devialet and Wynn Palace Macau)
A live opera performance at the opening of Devialet x Opéra national de Paris pop-up at Wynn Palace Macau (Photo: courtesy of Devialet and Wynn Palace Macau)
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While both partners acknowledge that nothing can replace the immediacy of live performance, they see technology as a powerful ally in expanding its reach. At the Palais Garnier, Devialet already operates a branded experiential space featuring a thirteen-Phantom installation that recreates orchestral masterpieces. Looking ahead, there is openness to exploring spatial audio and immersive soundscapes within the Opéra’s programmes, always guided by artistic integrity. As Grebille emphasises, any integration of technology would be “carefully considered, ensuring it serves the art rather than alters it.”
Ultimately, the Opéra national de Paris × Devialet collaboration represents an elegant harmony between tradition and innovation—a dialogue across centuries, expressed through sound. In an age where so much of culture is consumed digitally, this partnership invites listeners to rediscover the emotional essence of music: to hear, to feel and to be moved.
Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
