the great modern theatre
The Opéra Bastille is the work of the Canadian-Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott, who was chosen in November 1983 after an international competition that attracted entries from some 1,700 architects. The theatre was inaugurated on July 13th 1989.
Its architecture is marked by transparent façades and by the use of identical materials for both the interiors and the exteriors.
With its 2,700 acoustically consistent seats, its unique stage facilities, its integrated scenery, costume and accessory workshops, as well as its numerous work areas and rehearsal rooms, the Opera Bastille is a great modern theatre.stage facilities
- Orchestra pit, mobile and adjustable, can be covered; at its largest it can house 130 musicians
- Main stage, 45 m high, 30 m wide, 25 m deep, made up of 9 elevators allowing several levels to be created and supported by three main elevators, which bring scenery up from below stage
- Clearing zones, 4 storage areas with the same dimensions as the stage
- Backstage area, with its scenery turntable
- Circulation area, scenery temporarily stored between the stage, workshops and rehearsal stage
- Rehearsal stage, the Salle Gounod, with its orchestra pit and dimensions identical to those of the main stage
the building
- Area at ground level: 22,000 m²
- Floor area: 160,000 m²
- Total height: 80 m (including 30 m below street level)
the auditoriums
THE MAIN AUDITORIUM
- Area: 1,200 m², 5% of the total for the building
- Dimensions: 20 m high, 32 m deep, 40 m wide
- Number of seats: 2,703
- Materials: blue granite from Lannelin in Brittany, pearwood from China, glass ceiling
THE AMPHITHEATre
- Area: 700 m²
- Depth : 21.4 m
- Number of seats : 450
- Materials: white breccia marble from Verona, staff ceiling
THE STUDIO
- Area: 280 m²
- Depth: 19,5 m
- Number of seats: 237
- Materials: white breccia marble from Verona and pearwood
