We went to Opéra Garnier yesterday, the amazing building that was dedicated in 1875. Its opulence reminds one of Versailles, Catherine's Winter Palace, and Peterhof. There were two disappointments: the 90-minute guided tour lasted 65, and we weren't able to go inside the auditorium. Rather than post pictures in this post, I've added them to the Photos - Paris, France; Summer 2014 page at stuart-gustafson.blospot.com (and at stuartgustafson.com/travel/travel-photos-videos/) so they're more accessible.
It's been called the most famous opera house in the world (although the much newer Sydney Opera House might now have that distinction). Part of its popularity is due to its use as the setting for Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel The Phantom of the Opera and, especially, the novel's subsequent adaptations in films and Andrew Lloyd Webber's popular 1986 musical. By the way -- Yes, there is water underneath the building, but there is no lake!
The actual auditorium only seats about 2,000 people, but that wasn't the primary purpose -- it was built in the era when rich people wanted to be seen. Thus the grand staircase enables many views of the wealthy as they slowly walked up to their box seats. Interestingly, the Orchestra section -- now considered a prime place in most venues -- was for the middle class. It was underneath the chandelier and the candles dripped wax. Also, the rich people were more easily seen in their exclusive box seats on the sides.
When you're in Paris, visit Opéra Garnier, but save a few coins and just wander through on your own; you can go at your own pace, use an audio guide headset, and you'll see everything that we saw on the guided your.
Au revoir!
Stuart
p.s. Don't forget to view the pictures the Paris photos page!
It's been called the most famous opera house in the world (although the much newer Sydney Opera House might now have that distinction). Part of its popularity is due to its use as the setting for Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel The Phantom of the Opera and, especially, the novel's subsequent adaptations in films and Andrew Lloyd Webber's popular 1986 musical. By the way -- Yes, there is water underneath the building, but there is no lake!
The actual auditorium only seats about 2,000 people, but that wasn't the primary purpose -- it was built in the era when rich people wanted to be seen. Thus the grand staircase enables many views of the wealthy as they slowly walked up to their box seats. Interestingly, the Orchestra section -- now considered a prime place in most venues -- was for the middle class. It was underneath the chandelier and the candles dripped wax. Also, the rich people were more easily seen in their exclusive box seats on the sides.
When you're in Paris, visit Opéra Garnier, but save a few coins and just wander through on your own; you can go at your own pace, use an audio guide headset, and you'll see everything that we saw on the guided your.
Au revoir!
Stuart
p.s. Don't forget to view the pictures the Paris photos page!
