Opera Garnier
The idea of a new Opera construction began in January
1858, when Napoleon III made a visit to the Opera House
in the Rue le Peletier, intending to see the farewell
performance of a famous singer of the day. Driving into the
narrow street the silence was shattered as one bomb, then
a second was hurled at the royal procession killing more
than 150 bystanders, including the coachman of the
procession, yet the Emperor and Empress remained
shaken but unhurt. After continuing on to attend the
performance despite this incident, the Emperor decided that
a new Opera House was called for, one with easier access
and less opportunity for an attack.
At first, the construction project was entrusted to the
architect Charles Rouhault de Fleury who worked on it
during two years, with Emperor supervision. Suddenly, in
1860, he was destitute being nominated Violet-le-Duc,
Empress Eugenia de Montijo's favourite architect.
Unexpectedly, a contest was convoked where were
presented 170 projects.
In the first elimination, Charles Garnier kept in fifth place
being proclaimed winner for unanimity at final elimination.
It's curious observing how strange is that Empress'
favourite architect was granted with the Opera construction
and he declined the work to propose one contest. This fact
is, at least, unusual.
The construction began in August 1861 with a estimated
cost of 29 millions Francs which Government reduced to
15 million Francs.
The colleagues of Garnier were architect, painter and
sculptor friends, whom he had met during his studies :
Louvet, Jourdai, Baudry, Carpeaux, etc.
They prepared more than 30.000 sketches, drawings and
designs.
Garnier counted with 65 contractors (carpenters, heating
engineers, builders, joiners, mirrors cutters...), as well as
numerous workers (such was their appreciation of the "big
boss", that they clubbed together at the end of the project
and bought him a commemorative gold medal).
The first difficulty they discovered was a huge expanse of
water, with quite a strong current in the foundations below
the stage. Because of the machinery needed for the
scenery, the foundations had to go down as deep as eleven
metres underneath the rod, five metres of which was to be
built in this unstable ground.
Garnier knew that he would have to be initiative and he
fixed this problem perfectly.
Another obstacle to Opera's construction was the
Franco-Prussian War which took place in 1871.
The Opera, unfinished, was transformed in a warehouse
with food and weapons, as well as a military prison.
Opera works were interrupted till the mysterious fire
happened in the only Opera House called Le Peletier which
remained intact. Nobody knows how or why this fire was
caused, but "thank" to it, Ganier could finish the Opera:
government gave him 18 months and 6.900.000 Francs to
finish it with urgency.
At last the Opera could be officially inaugurated on 5
January 1875.
To mark the occasion, the Indian Union launched a new silk
brocade called The New Opera, toy makers reproduced
building and construction games...
There were even rumours that one of the oxes had gone
for 15.000 Francs on the black market. The Opera was in
fashion and when the moment came, the crowds gathered
on the square to admire spectacle.
The whole Paris' aristocracy and business community was
there; members of royalty came from all over Europe: Mr.
Stone, Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Port of London,King
Alfonso II and Queen Mother Isabel II from Spain, etc.
At 7.45pm, Olivier Halanzier, director of the Opera,
welcomed the President of the Republic, Mac-Mahon
marshal. Halanzier had scarcely been able to calm his
emotions from organising such an evening in a building for
which he had only had the keys for eight days; in addition,
the defection of a diva had forced him in extremis to replace
the fourth act of Faust with a scene from the Huquenots.
This gala night was a success of the Opera building itself
and his architect who began to be known over the world.
A new shop at the Opera.
A restaurant at the Opera!
Follow me into the Opera's most
spectacular views...
Or would you prefer travel in time?
To see photos of some secret places, go
here.
Opera in Red.
The Opera during the German occupation
Please, don't copy this text and photos without my permission.
The idea of a new Opera construction began in January
1858, when Napoleon III made a visit to the Opera House
in the Rue le Peletier, intending to see the farewell
performance of a famous singer of the day. Driving into the
narrow street the silence was shattered as one bomb, then
a second was hurled at the royal procession killing more
than 150 bystanders, including the coachman of the
procession, yet the Emperor and Empress remained
shaken but unhurt. After continuing on to attend the
performance despite this incident, the Emperor decided that
a new Opera House was called for, one with easier access
and less opportunity for an attack.
At first, the construction project was entrusted to the
architect Charles Rouhault de Fleury who worked on it
during two years, with Emperor supervision. Suddenly, in
1860, he was destitute being nominated Violet-le-Duc,
Empress Eugenia de Montijo's favourite architect.
Unexpectedly, a contest was convoked where were
presented 170 projects.
In the first elimination, Charles Garnier kept in fifth place
being proclaimed winner for unanimity at final elimination.
It's curious observing how strange is that Empress'
favourite architect was granted with the Opera construction
and he declined the work to propose one contest. This fact
is, at least, unusual.
The construction began in August 1861 with a estimated
cost of 29 millions Francs which Government reduced to
15 million Francs.
The colleagues of Garnier were architect, painter and
sculptor friends, whom he had met during his studies :
Louvet, Jourdai, Baudry, Carpeaux, etc.
They prepared more than 30.000 sketches, drawings and
designs.
Garnier counted with 65 contractors (carpenters, heating
engineers, builders, joiners, mirrors cutters...), as well as
numerous workers (such was their appreciation of the "big
boss", that they clubbed together at the end of the project
and bought him a commemorative gold medal).
The first difficulty they discovered was a huge expanse of
water, with quite a strong current in the foundations below
the stage. Because of the machinery needed for the
scenery, the foundations had to go down as deep as eleven
metres underneath the rod, five metres of which was to be
built in this unstable ground.
Garnier knew that he would have to be initiative and he
fixed this problem perfectly.
Another obstacle to Opera's construction was the
Franco-Prussian War which took place in 1871.
The Opera, unfinished, was transformed in a warehouse
with food and weapons, as well as a military prison.
Opera works were interrupted till the mysterious fire
happened in the only Opera House called Le Peletier which
remained intact. Nobody knows how or why this fire was
caused, but "thank" to it, Ganier could finish the Opera:
government gave him 18 months and 6.900.000 Francs to
finish it with urgency.
At last the Opera could be officially inaugurated on 5
January 1875.
To mark the occasion, the Indian Union launched a new silk
brocade called The New Opera, toy makers reproduced
building and construction games...
There were even rumours that one of the oxes had gone
for 15.000 Francs on the black market. The Opera was in
fashion and when the moment came, the crowds gathered
on the square to admire spectacle.
The whole Paris' aristocracy and business community was
there; members of royalty came from all over Europe: Mr.
Stone, Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Port of London,King
Alfonso II and Queen Mother Isabel II from Spain, etc.
At 7.45pm, Olivier Halanzier, director of the Opera,
welcomed the President of the Republic, Mac-Mahon
marshal. Halanzier had scarcely been able to calm his
emotions from organising such an evening in a building for
which he had only had the keys for eight days; in addition,
the defection of a diva had forced him in extremis to replace
the fourth act of Faust with a scene from the Huquenots.
This gala night was a success of the Opera building itself
and his architect who began to be known over the world.
A new shop at the Opera.
A restaurant at the Opera!
Follow me into the Opera's most
spectacular views...
Or would you prefer travel in time?
To see photos of some secret places, go
here.
Opera in Red.
The Opera during the German occupation
Please, don't copy this text and photos without my permission.
