For this opera-loving Frenchman in New York, the “intimate jewel box” that is the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris will always be his favorite venue. And his post-show nightcap? “I always love stopping by P.J. Clarke’s, right across from the Met Opera. You often see the artists there too, which is part of the fun.”

The conductors he most admires are Claudio Abbado, whom he fondly calls his “absolute reference,” and, “in a completely different style,” Raphaël Pichon. He’s captivated by the Marseille dance collective (LA)HORDE and is forever inspired by the Paris Opera Ballet dancers. So, yes, he’s most definitely a Francophile! Gaspard’s most memorable performances include the 2016 premiere of Il Trovatore at the Paris Opera, featuring a starry cast—including Anna Netrebko, Ludovic Tézier, Ekaterina Semenchuk, and Marcelo Álvarez. When that same opera made a return a few years later, Sondra Radvanovsky gave an historic bis (encore) for ‘D’amor sull’ali rosee.’ “It was absolutely legendary.” On the contemporary end of things, he loved Room with a View — “an electrifying dance piece” led by Rone & (LA)HORDE, which he saw at NYU Skirball two years ago.