Opera
Opéra Bastille
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ABOUT
Designed by Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott, the building was commissioned by French President François Mitterrand and inaugurated in 1989. For years many had lamented the lack of a modern venue in Paris capable of welcoming modern concerts and performances with different acoustic approaches, and the flexibility that a modulable venue lends. A movement started in the 1960s called for a larger new venue in Paris that would appeal to the masses, a modern compliment to the elaborate Palais Garnier. Just over 100 years after the inauguration of the Palais Garnier, the demands finally won over the newly-elected President Mitterrand, who supported the project as the headliner among many modern works launched during his term. Selecting the popular Bastille neighbourhood for its ease of accessibility from Paris and the surrounding areas, the old Bastille Train Station was destroyed to make way for the construction of the new venue. The building was complete just in time for the bicentary of the French Revolution.
The venue has undergone many changes in direction resulting from varying political affiliations, and has undergone major renovations since its construction to repair and to soundproof the entire structure. Unlike other auditorium designs, each and every seat at the Opéra Bastille guarantees an unrestricted view of the stage. With its white glass ceiling, crisp grey compliments, and black seating adorned with rich oak, the venue is an ode to modernity and simplistic design. From the exterior, made of blue granite from Brittany and blocks of glass, light is reflected from every corner of this angular venue.
Past shows at this venue
Opera
Carmen
New
Opera
Verdi's La Forza del Destino
Ballet & Dance
Tree of Codes
Opera
I Puritani
Opera
Verdi's La Traviata
New
Opera
Madama Butterfly
Opera
Les Indes Galantes
Opera
Verdi's Don Carlo
Opera
Prince Igor
Opera
Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Opera
Les Contes d'Hoffmann
Opera
Manon
Opera
Wagner's Das Rheingold
Opera
Adriana Lecouvreur
Opera
Wagner's Die Walküre
Opera
Boris Godounov
Opera
Verdi's Rigoletto
Opera
La Bohème
Ballet & Dance
Noureev's Raymonda
Ballet & Dance
George Balanchine
Ballet & Dance
La Bayadère
New