- 1 Place de la Comédie, 69001 Lyon
- What you see
- What you need to know
The Lyon Opera, one of the city's most important cultural institutions, has a long history.
Originally called the Grand Théâtre, it was built in 1756 on the former gardens of the town hall by Soufflot (who was also responsible for the transformation of the Hôtel-Dieu). It was unfortunately destroyed in 1826. The opera house was rebuilt in a neoclassical style by the architects Chenavard and Pollet, and inaugurated in 1831. Over time, the red lanterns were added in 1859 and eight muses in 1862 (each measuring 3 meters high).
Topped with a vault built by Jean Nouvel, it became the Lyon Opera House in 1993.
Due to lack of space, only 8 statues of the muses (traditionally 9) appear on the building's attic. Urania, the muse of astronomy, is missing. Originally made of stone, they were replaced in 1912 with cast-iron statues due to their state of disrepair.
Read also our article about the Lyon opera house.
- Archive images
- Anecdote: new opera to new opera
- 1969A new opera project to broaden the scope of the Grand Théâtre and the Opéra de Lyon, aiming to make opera accessible to a wider audience. Lower ticket prices, a more limited repertoire, and the introduction of world premieres.
- 1986: The Lyon Opera becomes an association under the 1901 law. The City of Lyon continues to provide two-thirds of the opera's budget in the form of a subsidy.
- 1990Due to the building's age, the City of Lyon is undertaking the rehabilitation of the Opera House.
- 1993: The rehabilitation project by architect Jean Nouvel has been selected.
The four façades of Chenavard and Pollet's original design, as well as the public foyer, were preserved. Inside, a modern performance hall was created. The Opéra Nouvel was inaugurated in 1993. - 1995: The Lyon Opera becomes a national opera house.
- TodayThe Grand Théâtre is one of the cultural institutions of the City of Lyon.
It continues to house the Opéra de Lyon association.
