The Opéra Bastille is Paris's main opera house and was opened in 1989 to mark the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution — deliberately on the eve of July 14, the storming of the Bastille. The building, designed by Canadian-Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott at Place de la Bastille, seats 2,723 spectators, making it one of the largest opera houses in the world. The stage technology with rotating side stages and a sinking orchestra pit is considered one of the most modern worldwide. Together with the Opéra Garnier, the house forms the Opéra national de Paris; the Bastille primarily presents major works of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries as well as contemporary world premieres.
The retractable orchestra pit and rolling side stages make it possible to swap an entire set for another within minutes.
At a glance
- Type
- Opera house
- Location
- Paris, France
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