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Paris
History |
Paris EntertainmentParis, as one of the hubs of European culture, is rich in opportunities to experience almost anything in the performing arts that you could ask for.Opera The Palais Garnier, located at the Place de l'Opéra, is the premier theatrical venue in all of Paris, and the largest in the world, capable of holding 450 performers onstage at the same time.
Built in 1860 by architect Charles Garnier, it was constructed over a subterranean river, and an artificial lake that still exists today. That feature is central to the story "Phantom of the Opera", by Gerard Leroux. The Opera building is a dazzling edifice of staircases, gilt, red velvet and chandeliers. Even if you are unable to get tickets for an opera or ballet performance, go simply for the visual pleasure of a walk through the lobby! The Opéra Bastille is housed in a much newer building, erected in 1989 on the bicentennial of the storming of the Bastille prison. The new building, which features glass everywhere, was positioned to bridge the physical and cultural gap between the modern suburb going up next to it, and the Faubourg Saint-Antoine. The Metro exit was placed in the hall, where the shopping area is, with an eye to drawing people into the Opera itself. TheatreLive theatre in France has an interesting history. Little of it survives from prior to 1600, since it was mostly "fluff" pieces written to butter up the aristocracy.Alexandre Hardy, who emerged on the national stage around 1597, was one of the first professional French dramatists. He wrote a wealth of plays utilizing the five-act form, poetic dialogue and the chorus from early Greek and Roman times. Thirty-four of his works survive, revered not for their lasting greatness, but for his laying the groundwork of an art that flourishes today. Visitors to Paris will need to obtain... [Continued]
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For Beginners Copyright © 2004 M. Feenstra, Den Haag. All rights reserved. | ||||||||