Auditorium Stage in L'Opera-Garnier
Comissioned by Napoleon III and then overseen by Baron Haussmann, the Paris Opera as it was then called, was designed by Charles Garnier who at the time was an unknown thirty-five year old architect. Construction started in 1862 and ended in 1874 but the first opera wasn't held there until January 15, 1875.
During a performance, a part of the ceiling fell on an audience member which partially inspired Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera.
The tour guide told us that after all his efforts and the amazing success of the construction, Charles Garnier wasn't invited to the opening and had to purchase a ticket to see the opera himself.
Performances still take place here (while we were there they were lighting the stage for a ballet that afternoon) although the performances mostly consist of ballets. Most operas are conducted in the Opéra Bastille.
Auditorium Stage in L'Opera-Garnier
Comissioned by Napoleon III and then overseen by Baron Haussmann, the Paris Opera as it was then called, was designed by Charles Garnier who at the time was an unknown thirty-five year old architect. Construction started in 1862 and ended in 1874 but the first opera wasn't held there until January 15, 1875.
During a performance, a part of the ceiling fell on an audience member which partially inspired Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera.
The tour guide told us that after all his efforts and the amazing success of the construction, Charles Garnier wasn't invited to the opening and had to purchase a ticket to see the opera himself.
Performances still take place here (while we were there they were lighting the stage for a ballet that afternoon) although the performances mostly consist of ballets. Most operas are conducted in the Opéra Bastille.