PARIS OPERA

One of the most magnificent theatres I have ever been to definitely is the Opéra Garnier in Paris. I saw two ballet performances there, one of the Nederlands Dans Theater, which accidentally had scheduled a series of performances while I was in Paris.

Last October I took a tour of the entire building. Quite impressive!

A massive Grand Staircase at the main entrance... Plenty of marble all around... beautiful Grande Salle... and lots of gold... Loved the Grand Foyer (ballroom).

The Palais Garnier, also known as the Opéra de Paris or Opéra Garnier, but more commonly as the Paris Opéra, is a 2,200 seat opera house in Paris, France. A grand landmark designed by Charles Garnier in the Neo-Baroque style, it is regarded as one of the architectural masterpieces of its time.

Upon its inauguration in 1875, the opera house was officially named the Académie Nationale de Musique - Théâtre de l'Opéra. It retained this title until 1978 when it was re-named the Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris. After the opera company chose the Opéra Bastille as their principal theatre upon its completion in 1989, the theatre was re-named as the Palais Garnier, though its more official name, the Académie Nationale de Musique, is still sprawled above the columns of its front façade. In spite of the change of names and the Opera company's relocation to the Opéra Bastille, the Palais Garnier is still known by many people as the Paris Opéra, as have all of the many theatres which have served as the principal venues of the Parisian Opera and Ballet since its founding.

Will be going there in two weeks again...

Enjoy,

HK