After its inauguration last Thursday, October 14, we look back at these 4 years of rehabilitation which have given the Opéra Grand Avignon a new lease of life and promise great projects in its “choir”.
It is an unprecedented adventure in France! Nowhere else in our country has an opera house been completely renovated and then reopened a few years later. A unique case accentuated by the health crisis which caused many delays in this restoration.
Roofs, facade, decorations, control room: room for modernization
Respecting the architecture of the 19th century while bringing modernity to the infrastructures, such was the delicate and daring objective of this complete renovation.
24 million euros were needed to bring the building up to date. Neither whim nor luxury, it was more of an emergency. Because four years ago the firefighters had issued an order prohibiting the use of the place, then too fragile and dangerous because of the electricity which was no longer up to standard.
It was therefore necessary to renovate and update the entire opera house. If from a safety and accessibility point of view everything has been improved, it is above all at the level of the technical platform that the modernization is visible.
Optimal air conditioning and air treatment, more powerful lighting system and motorization of stage equipment such as carriers… A new way of working for teams who have to adapt “it is less physical effort but it is more concentration and attention”, explains chief machinist Olivier Kinoo.
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The Grand Avignon Opera becomes, thanks to these works, a unique place for directors who will be able to develop more creativity with more sophisticated shows.
Exterior and interior: a complete aesthetic restoration
For this building dating from 1847, the renovation of the facade was essential. With its 7 redone roofs, the head of Apollo which has found its nose and the statues of Molière and Corneille which welcome the public on both sides of the entrances, the opera now appears like new.
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And it continues inside. From the entrance hall, the atmosphere is with fresh paintings and shiny floors.
In the theater, the novelty is also being felt. The ceiling, listed in the inventory of historical monuments, has been restored step by step. First, a precise cleaning square centimeters by square centimeters then the syringe re-gluing of each part of this majestic sky. This shelters in its center the so coveted chandelier and for good reason! Located 17 meters high, it is made up of 626 pieces entirely in Limoges porcelain, gilded with fine gold on one of their faces. Created by designer Sylvie Maréchal, it weighs no less than 550 kilos and measures 5.5 meters high. Enough to illuminate the room but also the eyes of the public.
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Finally, the room has been completely restructured. Surprisingly, it now offers fewer seats: 953 seats against 1,100 previously. A necessary sacrifice for more comfort: more legroom, therefore, improved seating, wider seats and armrests and above all a view of the stage for all.
A new season ʺ Against all odds
And the Grand Avignon Opera has allowed many artists to reveal themselves to the general public, such as Roberto Alagna, for example, he continues to bring new talents to the fore.
Three artists in residence for this season “Contre vents et marées”: the composer Joséphine Stephenson, composer who will present her chamber opera Narcisse on February 24, 2022 and directors Sandra Pocceschi and Giacomo Strada. They will sign the staging d’Idomeneo by Mozart, in March 2022.
Between opera, lyric concert, dance performance, theater, baroque music, a total of 88 shows are scheduled.
To note among others, the concert of William Shelton countertenor and pianist Bastien Dollinger on October 30, the Opera Madama Butterfly November 12, 14 and 16 and BL!NDMAN [sax], notes by JS Bach on saxophones and tubax on November 20.
All the programming to discover here.
Grand Avignon Opera House
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