The Chandelier
Is it true than the Opera's chandelier felt down towards the
audience?
Yes it is, with no doubt.
It happened on May 20, 1896 during the performance of the
opera Helle.
In Les Annales du Theatre et Musique from 1896, we can
read the official article:
"A terrible accident happened in this evening of May 20, in
the performance of Helle at 8:57 pm exactly. First Act was
almost finishing and it was going to start the romance sung
by Mme. Caron, when a formidable noise was heard. At the
same time, a flash of light appeared, quick like a lightning,
followed by a cloud of dust which came from the ceiling.
The chandelier was about to collapse into the auditorium.
Everyone thought it was an anarchist attack.
The audience began to run quickly to the exit-doors,
meanwhile Mme. Caron and all the cast remained in the
stage trying to calm people.
Suddenly, at the amphitheatre took place a terrible explosion
and part of the audience had to jump into the auditorium.
The guards and Opera director tried to evacuate people, and
when they thought everyone was safe, they heard a cry.
They found it was a young girl, covered with blood, who
pointed out her mother who was at sit number 13, under
some rubbish fallen from the ceiling.
Firemen achieved rescue her, but it was very late, she was
dead.
She was Mme. Chomette, 56 years old, porter in
Rochechouart Rue.
There were no more deaths, but after the chandelier falling,
a terrible fire started".
It seems one of the supports which assure the stability of
the chandelier failed, causing this terrible event. Nobody
knows how this could happen.
The chandelier designed by Garnier and created by Corboz,
it's made of bronze and crystal. It has 340 lights and it
weights 7 tons.
To construct it, it was necessary to build a special frame in
the courtyard of the factory which was capable of
supporting its weight.
The auditorium illumination is completed with a crown of
gems (diamonds, emeralds, rubies) created by Garnier
around the chandelier and decorated with a line of
light-globes which evocate pearls.
Please, don't copy this text and photos without my permission.
Is it true than the Opera's chandelier felt down towards the
audience?
Yes it is, with no doubt.
It happened on May 20, 1896 during the performance of the
opera Helle.
In Les Annales du Theatre et Musique from 1896, we can
read the official article:
"A terrible accident happened in this evening of May 20, in
the performance of Helle at 8:57 pm exactly. First Act was
almost finishing and it was going to start the romance sung
by Mme. Caron, when a formidable noise was heard. At the
same time, a flash of light appeared, quick like a lightning,
followed by a cloud of dust which came from the ceiling.
The chandelier was about to collapse into the auditorium.
Everyone thought it was an anarchist attack.
The audience began to run quickly to the exit-doors,
meanwhile Mme. Caron and all the cast remained in the
stage trying to calm people.
Suddenly, at the amphitheatre took place a terrible explosion
and part of the audience had to jump into the auditorium.
The guards and Opera director tried to evacuate people, and
when they thought everyone was safe, they heard a cry.
They found it was a young girl, covered with blood, who
pointed out her mother who was at sit number 13, under
some rubbish fallen from the ceiling.
Firemen achieved rescue her, but it was very late, she was
dead.
She was Mme. Chomette, 56 years old, porter in
Rochechouart Rue.
There were no more deaths, but after the chandelier falling,
a terrible fire started".
It seems one of the supports which assure the stability of
the chandelier failed, causing this terrible event. Nobody
knows how this could happen.
The chandelier designed by Garnier and created by Corboz,
it's made of bronze and crystal. It has 340 lights and it
weights 7 tons.
To construct it, it was necessary to build a special frame in
the courtyard of the factory which was capable of
supporting its weight.
The auditorium illumination is completed with a crown of
gems (diamonds, emeralds, rubies) created by Garnier
around the chandelier and decorated with a line of
light-globes which evocate pearls.
Please, don't copy this text and photos without my permission.
After several years of investigation I've found at
last one proof of the Chandelier falling.
These are the personal archives of the Opera
directors at Erik's time.
In them, you can see how the accident happened
at the middle of the act of the opera Hellé.
last one proof of the Chandelier falling.
These are the personal archives of the Opera
directors at Erik's time.
In them, you can see how the accident happened
at the middle of the act of the opera Hellé.
"Performance interrupted by an accident".
"...the chandelier fell down on the seats of the amphitheatre
killing a woman and hurting two members of the audience".
Please, don't copy this text and photos without my permission.
They are part of my personal research.
killing a woman and hurting two members of the audience".
Please, don't copy this text and photos without my permission.
They are part of my personal research.