Paris - Opéra Garnier - 9me

Plate LXXXI – Opera Garnier…

Is there a phantom of the Opéra?

Built on notably swampy ground, above an underground lake which requires pumping some eight months of the year (yes there really is one) the site of the Paris Opéra lends itself to Gothic tales of mystical creatures and ghosts. Add the belle époque splendour, the sumptuous velvet and gilded decoration of the Charles Garnier masterpiece and you have everything needed for the location of Gaston Leroux’s spellbinding Victorian tale of the Phantom of the Opera. The subject of no less than five international film versions and of course Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s long running musical opus (but not its newer sequel), the performance arts have ensured that Garnier’s construction is familiar, at least in name, to  almost everyone.

Officially named the Académie Nationale de Musique – Théâtre de l’Opéra, at its inauguration in 1875 this was changed in 1978 to the Théâtre National de l’Opéra  de Paris. But to most it is simply the Opéra or Palais Garnier. It was designed as part of Napoleon III and Haussmann’s city reconstruction, the plan submitted by architect Charles Garnier in open competition in 1860. It remains Garnier’s grandest work, and is the inspiration of many copies and imitations around the world. Plagued with problems over the course of construction between 1861 and late 1874, the 2,200 seat 11,000 square metre opera house was formally opened in January 1875 with lavish performances of scenes from popular ballet and operas. Decorated with extensive sculptural pieces and embellishments the building consumes them all into a glorious whole with the centrepiece of the interior the massive (and legendary) chandelier above the auditorium, surrounded by a Marc Chagall ceiling artwork completed in 1964 and controversially installed over the older existing piece.

The resident performing opera company relocated to the newer Opéra Bastille building on its completion, but when reference in Paris is made to the Opéra, this is the one implied.

It’s over now– the music of the night …