French opera and theatre director Laurent Pelly gestures during a rehearsal of a new production of "The Bartered Bride" a comic opera in three acts by Czech composer Bedrich Smetana on March 31, 2026. As part of the sustainability policy of the Teatro Real, the new production of "The Bartered Bride" uses a large part of its costumes, props and scenery recycled. This opera will be performed at the Opera National in Lyon (France), at the Oper Kholn in Cologne (Germany) and at the Theatre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels (Belgium). (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP via Getty Images)