Paris is a city of world attractions and theaters. In the capital, concerts are constantly held, ballet shows, theater performances and dance shows. The buildings of both ancient and modern theaters are striking in their luxury, size and interesting history.
Moliere's house
Comédie-Française is one of the few state-owned theaters in France. The theater is part of the Palais Royal complex (the former royal palace in the 1st arrondissement of Paris) and is located on the 2nd Richelieu street in the André-Malraux square.
The theater is also known as the Theater of the Republic and the House of Moliere. "Comedy Francaise" was founded by Louis XIV in 1860, then the entire repertoire consisted of plays by the famous Moliere. In the 18th century, only the French nobility could visit the theater, since the price of tickets was very high.
Today, the Comedy Francaise Theater has more than 3,000 performances in its repertoire and consists of three buildings:
- Richelieu Hall (next to the Royal Palace).
- Teatro du Vieux-Colombier (6th arrondissement of Paris).
- Studio Theater.
The names of almost all the great actors and playwrights of France at one time were associated with the Comedy-Francaise.
Bastille Opera
Opéra Bastille is a modern opera house in Paris, located on Place de la Bastille in the 11th arrondissement. After the destruction of the railway station, in 1989 a theater consisting of four large halls was opened on this site:
- Large hall with a capacity of 2703 people.
- Amphitheater for 450 spectators.
- Studio room.
- The hall where the orchestra is rehearsing.
It is believed that because of the shape and size in the hall is not the best acoustics compared to other world-class opera houses. Therefore, to improve the sound quality, an orchestra pit was adapted. Her floor can rise and fall, which makes the sound of the orchestra louder and quieter.
A huge area behind the scenes is equipped with modern technical equipment, which allows you to put whole sets of scenery.
Great Theater
The Grand Opera in Paris, or Palais Garnier, is a 1979-seat opera house located on the Boulevard of Capuchins. It is also often called the Opera Garnier. After the construction of the Bastille Opera, the Garnier theater stage was often used for ballet performances.
About a hundred sculptors, more than a dozen artists participated in the creation of the main facade of the theater. The facade is decorated with gilded figured groups: “Harmony”, “Poetry”, “Dance” and “Lyric Drama”. Busts of great composers were placed between the columns ; Rossini, Beethoven, Mozart.
The interior of the Opera Garnier building is even more impressive than its appearance: the marble staircase, huge crystal chandeliers and mosaic ceiling are so luxurious that the room is often compared to Versailles.
The Palais Garnier is the largest theater in Paris and the most magnificent in the world.
It often hosts guest performances by artists. Artists of the Moscow Theater in recent years have often performed on the stage of the Paris Opera and delighted the French public. In 2011, the Bolshoi Theater ballet “Flames of Paris” based on the era of the French Revolution was included in the tour program.
Elysian Fields
Théâtre des Champs-Élysées is a theater on Montaigne Avenue in Paris. It was opened in 1913 to stage modern musical performances, in contrast to the conservative theaters of the capital.
The building was the first example of Art Deco architecture in Paris; the building housed: two small stages, a comedy theater and a studio.
During the year, three productions are staged on its stage and a concert season takes place. Two orchestras rehearse here: the French National Orchestra and the Lamour Orchestra.
The Champs Elysees Theater is one of the most beautiful concert halls in Paris.
Choreography in Paris
Théâtre de la Ville, which means "City Theater", is considered one of the prestigious halls in Paris. Now on stage mostly dance performances are staged. The theater received its final name in 1968, from that time on, under the direction of Jean Mercur and then Gerard Violetta, high-quality dance shows were staged. The Theater de la Ville revealed to the world the names of such famous choreographers as Jan Fabre, Pina Bausch, Caroline Carlson.
Neoclassical capital
Théâtre de l'Odéon - located on the 2nd Cornell street in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, next to the Luxembourg Gardens. This is a neoclassical theater built for Comedy Frances. The building burned down in 1807, but was completely renovated.
Italian style
Théâtre du Châtelet - built on the site of a small fortress at the request of Baron Haussmann. The theater looks like the twin of another theater - De la Ville, although the interior is different. In the 20th century, the Théâtre du Châtelet was used for staging operettas, ballet performances, and classical music concerts. Currently, opera performances and concerts are being staged on its stage.
Modern theater
Théâtre du Rond-Point - a theater in Paris, located in the 8th arrondissement, not far from the Champs Elysees. From 1894 to 1980, the Ice Palace was here. Nowadays, modern theatrical productions are on the stage: “Model Love”, “Georges Paradox”. "Banquet".
Plays and shows
The Theater National de Chaillot is a theater located in the Palais Chaillot on Trocadero Square in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, next to the Eiffel Tower. The Theater de Chaillot is one of the largest concert halls in Paris. The Ministry of Culture of France declared it the National Theater of France.
The Chaillot National Theater was built by the brothers Jean and Edward Nickerman for the Paris Exhibition in 1937. Nowadays, the building has three halls for performances and a theater school. It often hosts fashion shows of famous French fashion designers Giorgio Armani, Eli Saab and Claude Montana.
Marigny Theater
Théâtre Marigny is a theater in Paris located near the Champs Elysees and Avenue Marigny, in the 8th arrondissement. In 1894, Eduard Nyermans turned the theater venue into a stage for summer musical performances. Later, the hall was expanded and modernized, which allowed to stage opera performances. Now the theater is owned by the famous collector and billionaire Francois Pinault.
Exclusive locations in Paris
Opéra Comique - located near the Garnier Palace, in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris. Currently, there are about a dozen operas, concerts and exhibitions on the stage. In the summer of 2015, the theater was closed for a long reconstruction, but in 2017 it already began its work.
Cafe de la Gar - located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, in the square between the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral and the historic Marais district. At the time of its foundation, the Cafe de la Gar was called the "dining theater", however, it was never a coffee shop, it did not have tables and chairs, but only benches surrounding a small stage.
From the very beginning, comedies began to be put on the verge of farce on stage. The Experimental Theater is a great place to spend a cultural evening in Paris.
Reviews
In Paris, there are a lot of theaters with a variety of repertoire. Small and large scenes, pathos and modest - the theater will always find what to see, which institution is better to visit. People say that every theater is good in its own way. The only drawback that visitors noted was the overpriced cost of tickets. To get to good places, you need to pay several hundred euros per person. But for the budgetary theater lover there is always a free armchair for the price of 5 euros. Judging by the reviews, tickets for some performances are booked in advance, especially if the theater hosts tours of international troupes.