Opéra Bastille
The Opéra Bastille ( Bastille Opera House ) is one of two Parisian opera houses, are subject to the state institution of the Opéra national de Paris. This was opened in 1989 opera by Carlos Ott should by this time central opera house, the Opéra Garnier, also called " Palais Garnier " relieve, which is today used mainly for ballet performances of the Ballet de l' Opéra de Paris, but continue to classic operas lists.
- 3.1 and Acoustics
- 3.2 Spectator capacity
Location
The Opera House is located on the Place de la Bastille in the 12th arrondissement. At the site between the Rue de Lyon and the Rue de Charenton at the level of the Place de la Bastille was previously in 1859 and opened on December 14, 1969 disused railway station Gare de la Bastille. This was used after closure until the beginning of the work in November 1984 for various exhibitions. The former rail line from the outskirts of this station is now considered plantée promenade, dotted with peculiar charm. Under the arches of this former elevated train today are the boutiques of the Viaduc des Arts.
History
Planning
The Opéra Bastille is one of the major architectural projects in Paris - the so-called Grands Projets - initiated by the then French President François Mitterrand, 1982-1995. At the suggestion of Mitterrand to build a new opera house, it was decided to relieve the historic Opéra Garnier in March 1982. There should be a modern and popular (French " moderne et populaire " ) to be an opera to democratize classical music, that is, for each, for the people, make it accessible. Later, the term " populaire " was seen more critical since it could suggest that it is inferior art for the masses. Exactly the opposite was but according to the French self- understanding of the case. There the most advanced in its time opera house in the world was planned with superior technical characteristics to give a room the most important artists in the world.
In July 1982, an international competition for the plans of the new opera house was announced. From 1700 submissions 756 projects were approved. In November 1983, the then relatively unknown 37- year-old architect Carlos Ott finally got Canadian- Uruguayan origin the contract for this major project.
Planning and construction were from the state body Établissement public Opéra- Bastille ( epoB ): seen on (German Public institution Bastille Opera House ).
Opening
The opera was on the evening of July 13, 1989 as a prelude to the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille and the beginning of the French Revolution with staged by Robert Wilson piece La nuit avant le jour (English: The night before the day ) attended by numerous heads of state and the participants of the G7 meeting, which took place at the same time in Paris, was inaugurated. A total of 2,703 visitors attended this event. Conclusion and climax of the production was the singing of the Marseillaise. Under the direction of Georges Prêtre worked among others with the following artists: June Anderson, Teresa Berganza, Plácido Domingo, Martine Dupuy, Alain Fondary, Barbara Hendricks, Alfredo Kraus, Jean Philippe Lafont, Ruggero Raimondi, Shirley Verrett.
The regular opera operations started on March 17, 1990 with a performance of Les Troyens under the direction of Chief Conductor Myung- Whun Chung.
Architecture
The building occupies a floor area of 22,000 m², the total area of all floors amounts to 160,000 m².
And Acoustics
The stage equipment of the house is unique. There is space for nine different stages, which can be exchanged with complete decoration. The slot for the main stage extends over 80 meters in height, 30 feet below street level. A shortcoming of the Opéra Garnier, where pillars obstruct the view on many places, was not repeated here: The stage is clearly visible from all seats. Only in the case of a performance was a stage set for the spectators in the upper echelons to only the view of the feet of the players, after loud protests has been removed the offending decoration throughout the piece.
The acoustics of the house is not among the best. The moveable and adjustable orchestra pit can be closed and can hold up to 130 musicians. The Opera House is also home to studios and workshops for stage sets, costumes and props, work and rehearsal rooms.
Spectator capacity
- Big hall with 2703 seats. It has an area of 1280 m² and is 20 m high, 32 m deep, 40 m wide. With its capacity, however, it occupies only 5% of the total building. As materials originating blue granite and pear wood from China were used from Lannelin in Brittany.
- Small hall with 450 seats (can be changed from 300 to 1200 seats). It has an area of 700 square meters, a depth of 21.4 m. The material quarried stone was used in white Verona marble and decorated the ceiling with stucco.
- Studio with 250 seats. It has an area of 280 m², a depth of 19.5 m. As materials quarried stone were also used in white Verona marble and spars made of pear.
- Amphitheater with 500 seats