Grand théâtre

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

History

After the fire of the old theatre hall, work on the grand theatre begins in 1773 on the plans of Victor Louis; the inauguration takes place on 7 April 1780. This monument is today in a state relatively close to its original arrangement. Of rectangular plan, the building presents a front facade mounted on a flight of steps after 1830, close to the Graeco-Roman temple. Twelve Corinthian columns, an entablature and a balustrade surmounted by twelve statues by Pierre Berruer and Van Den Drix, representing the nine muses and three goddesses, adorn it. Above this colonnade is found a great terrace, level with a storey of attic order which runs on all four faces of the building. On the lateral faces, the monument comprises large galleries intended to receive shops. Pilasters frame the arcades. Inside, the vestibule is composed of sixteen columns supporting a coffered ceiling decorated with rosettes. A well is surmounted by a cupola. A monumental staircase develops at the centre, rising towards the theatre hall framed by caryatids and the ionic loggias of the first storey. At this level are situated two foyers to the north and south and the great foyer having replaced, under the Second Empire, a concert hall. The perimeter of the theatre hall is decorated with twelve composite columns. Originally, the wooden cupola of the hall was painted in fresco by Robin with a representation of the city of Bordeaux offering the new theatre to Apollo and the muses. Robin had also painted the four pendentives or genii holding the medallions of Corneille, Molière, Racine and Quinault.