Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Royal Opera of Versailles

Versailles, Grand Opera. Photo By Gary Todd – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Royal Opera of Versailles

The Royal Opera of Versailles is a French theatre located in Versailles, approximately 19 km from Paris. It is the main opera house in the former French royal residence, the Palace of Versailles.

The theatre began construction in 1765 and was completed five years later in 1770.  It can accommodate a capacity of over 700 as a theatre and 1,200 as a ballroom.

The opera was commissioned by Louis XV and is one of the greatest architectural accomplishments of Ange-Jacques Gabriel. It was built for multiple purposes so as to cut the cost of temporary specially constructed pop-ups.

The Royal Opera was the largest concert hall in Europe during the 18^th century. It is one of the few theatres still standing from the 1700s having hosted parliamentary debates, celebrations, and shows for both Republicans and monarchies.

Since its construction, the masterpiece has been restored thrice, in 1837, 1952, and 2007. The opera was nearly in ruins at the end of the Second World War, but it was re-established to its original 1770 glory by Andre Japy. It was then inaugurated on April 1957 in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II.

1. The Royal Opera Was Built By The First Architect Of King Louis XIV

Ange-Jacques Gabriel was made the King’s architect in 1742. Unlike the palace Court, the idea behind the Royal Opera was a spacious hall that would fit a large capacity of spectators and hold grand events.

Jacques worked tirelessly on the design. He incorporated the design of Italy’s finest halls such as French-style boxes, staggered levels and oval plans to come up with the final Opera drawings.

2. It Was Inaugurated For The Archduchess Wedding Feast

View of the Royal Opera of Versailles during the presentation of Athalie de Racine given on May 23, 1770 as part of the wedding celebrations of the Dauphin and Marie-Antoinette. Photo By Jean-Michel Moreau – Wikimedia Commons

Austria and France joined hands and became allies and as a peace treaty, Louis XV(Austria) and Empress Maria (France) agreed to marry their children. In 1770, Dauphin of France and Marie-Antoinette, Archduchess of Austria wedded at the Royal Palace in Versailles.

The interiors of the Royal Opera were finished a month prior to the royal wedding. It was then inaugurated to enable the hosting of the newlywed’s feast.

3. The Decoration Theme Of The Royal Opera Was Dedicated To Olympic Deities

“Apollo preparing crowns for men illustrious in the arts,” ceiling of the Royal Opera of Versailles. Photo By Louis Jean-Jacques Durameau – Wikimedia Commons

The Royal Opera is the finest example of baroque and neo-classical design and décor. The Opera ceiling is decorated by the canvas of the painter Louis Jean- Jacques featuring Greek Olympian Apollo and goddess Muses all of whom had some sort of association with art.

Muses was the goddess of literature, science and arts while Apollo was the god of dance, music, poetry and archery.

4. Its Wood Interior Is Painted To Resemble Marble

The Royal Opera was built entirely of wood. The interior and sculpting decorations of the Opera house were done by the French sculptor, Augustin Pajou.  He used the faux marble technique to mimic marble during the painting of the interiors.

5. The Floors Of The Royal Opera Were Adjustable And Multipurpose

Blaise-Henri Arnoult used a complex system of portable floors to fit the multipurpose specifications requested by Louis XV. He succeeded in making it an adjustable hall that could be used as a ballroom, festive hall and theatre hall. This eliminated the necessity of constantly building new machinery and decoration.

6. Parts of The Royal Opera Showcase The Earliest Representation Of Louis Seize Design

Versailles: Opera Royal Stage. Photo By Gary Todd – Wikimedia commons

The Louis XVI design developed right before the French Revolution and was the intermediary between Baroque and French Neoclassicism. The design also known as the Louis Seize is characterized by murals of Greek mythology with grand scales of interior decoration and massive columns.

The ceiling of the opera had paintings of the Greek gods and goddesses. The Corinthian columns that aided in the transition from an auditorium to a stage, were massive and had ionic entablature.

7. The Royal Opera Was Used Less Than 50 Times In 20 Years

The grand opera was only used around forty times before the French Revolution. The cost of preparing the stage and its maintenance proved to be relatively high. It is said that the theatre burned ten thousand candles in a single setting!

The last memorable event held before the revolution was the 1784 revival of Gluck’s Armide for the visit of Gustav III of Sweden. In the 21^st century, however, the Opera house has done more productions than its previous 240 years combined!

8. It Was Once Auctioned Of All Its Furniture And Lighting

Lights at The Royal Opera House. Photo By Miguel Hermoso Cuesta – Wikimedia Commons

The French Revolution proved detrimental to the Royal Opera. In 1793, the government put up all the property in the royal palace for auctioning. Nonetheless, the machinery in the opera house remained untouched.

Within one year, all its lighting, décor, mirrors, and furniture were sold. However, musicians’ chairs and stands were hidden in a cache below the orchestra and were uncovered during later renovations.

The building then became a storage house but was eventually commissioned for restoration by Louise Philippe, the King of the French (1773-1850).

9. It Was Repurposed To An Assembly Hall

In 1871 National Assembly of France relocated its headquarters from Bordeaux to Versailles. State Services had already taken refuge in Versailles during the Paris insurrection and the Royal Opera was transformed into an assembly hall.

The Royal Opera was assigned to the Senate of the Republic. It underwent major modifications with the installation of a glass roof in place of the doom-shaped ceiling. It remained the French Assembly until 1879.

10. The Royal Opera Is The Only Theatre Whose Programme Consists of Music Composed In The 1700s

The musical programme of the Royal Opera is composed of genres that were birthed between the beginning of opera and the French Revolution. Unlike other theatres, Lauret Brunner, the Royal Opera director, puts together musical programmes celebrating the baroque and classical periods.