Skip to main content

Opera Garnier, Palais Garnier, Paris


Wanting to do something a bit different during our vacation, I got tickets for a performance at the Opera Garnier in Paris.  We have passed this grand building so often, it was time to venture inside.  I took my husband to see a ballet, and that was my mistake.  He enjoys the opera, the ballet, not so much as I found out. 

Later on I learned that Palais Garnier is mostly used for ballet and modern dance, while operas are performed at the Opera Bastille.  Truthfully, I just wanted to see a performance at Palais Garnier, I felt that it would be the best way to see the building in all its glory.  It was.


Palais Garnier was designed by Charles Garnier, it took 14 years to complete (1875).  The statues on the top of the building are called Apollo by Aime Millet.  The front of the building (photo below), is incredibly detailed and impressive.   Fourteen painters, mosaicists and seventy three sculptors took part in creating its ornamentation.  The top groups of figures on the left are Harmony and Poetry on the right.  They were created by Charles Gumery, and are 25 feet of gilt copper electrotype.

The bronze busts located in between the columns are of: Rossini, Auber, Beethoven, Mozart, Spontini, Meyerbeer and Halevy. 



This side of the building is called the Pavillon de l'Empereur - known as Rotonde de l'Empereur.  It allowed the Emperor a direct and secure access to the building via the ramp.

Palais Garnier also houses the Bibliotheque -Musee de l'Opera de Paris (Paris Opera Library - Museum).


The white marble grand staircase features a balustrade composed of red and green marble. 




It was surprising to see a very wide range of clothing worn by the patrons.  Some people were dressed up and some came in tee shirts and sneakers.  I'm not one to lecture, but a building of this magnitude really demands a bit more respect than showing up in even your finest New Balance sneakers and Metallica shirt.






 The Grand Foyer, restored in 2004, is probably one most the most decadent rooms I have ever seen.  Just gold and lights, and some more gold. 


 The paintings on the ceiling represent various moments in the history of music.




The Auditorium is a traditional horseshoe shape, and it can seat 1,979. 


Originally, this ceiling was painted by Lenepveu, but in 1964 a removable frame was installed over the original.  The stunning masterpiece that replaced the original was done by Marc Chagall, and it depicts scenes from various operas by fourteen composers like Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Wagner and others.

I love Chagall, it was really difficult to take my eyes away from the ceiling and focus them on the actual performance.


 The chandelier which weighs seven tons is made of bronze and crystal. 
Gaston Laroux drew inspiration for "The Phantom of The Opera" from an unfortunate accident when the chandelier's counterweight broke off, crashed through the ceiling, and killed an audience member in 1896. 

The stage can accommodate 450 performers, it is considered the largest stage in Europe.

The ballet was not a well-known one, and although beautifully performed, it did not keep us there for the entire performance.  It would be a dream to see "Swan Lake" at the Palais Garnier.

Palais Garnier can be visited mid July to early September between 10am - 5pm.  Check their website for English tours.

Joanna


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bordier Butter - The Best Butter in France

France is in the midst of a butter shortage!  Due to a decrease in milk production and a substantial demand for French pastries all over the world (mainly China and the Middle East), the price of butter has increased by 60% in one year.  The French are stocking up and thus creating shortages.  French newspapers are publishing articles titled "A guide to cooking without butter".  So, with hopes that the shortages are temporary, here is my ode to the best butter in the world.  I'm not kidding.  The. Best. Butter. In. The. World. Mr. Bordier, a grandson and a son of cheese mongers, became a butter artisan in 1985.  He acquired a creamery originally founded in 1927.  The supreme taste of the Bordier butter was first recognized by a chef from the Plaza Athenee while vacationing in Brittany, a beautiful region in northwestern France. Bordier is the lone butter master to still use the old method of kneading the butter according to the 19th century t...
4 comments
Read more

Dallal Restaurant, Tel Aviv

Dallal is located in the heart of Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv's oldest district and the first Jewish  neighborhood outside of the old port city of Jaffa.  It was built as a suburb in 1887 and is now a very trendy area full of cafes, boutiques, and restaurants.   I have been buying breads, cakes and croissants at the Dallal Bakery for a few years now, but this was my first time dining at their restaurant on the corner of Shabazi Street.   Dallal takes up a good chunk of the block since it was built on the ruins of three restored houses next to the Suzanne Dallal Cultural Center. There are a few sitting options while dining at Dallal: outside in the small garden-like area, in the enclosed courtyard with a view of the sky, and inside the restaurant which feels like old time Paris. Dallal is a perfect place for a fun lunch with friends, or a romantic dinner with your sweetheart. There are two lunch options at Dallal: 78 ILS for two appetizers and bread...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hakosem, Tel Aviv

If you Google: Best shawarma in Tel Aviv, the name Hakosem is bound to pop up close to the top of any list.  It is very easy to find decent shawarma and falafel in Tel Aviv, but we wanted to try what is considered to be one of the best.  Hakosem located in a nice residential neighborhood is a food stand with plenty of tables and chairs set up on the sidewalk.  They serve superb shawarma, falafel, sabich, shakshuka, shnitzel, and veggies.            The line is pretty constant throughout the day, but it moves fast.  Free falafel balls are gifted to the  hungry customers to keep them happy while they wait.        I found the place to be very clean.     Freshly chopped veggies are continuously brought in from the kitchen in the back.         My husband could not resist the shawarma in lafa.  It was quite lar...
Post a Comment
Read more